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According to the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), approximately 4 to 6 percent of the U.S. population has ADHD. The ADDA website stated, ʺADHD usually persists throughout a person's lifetime. It is NOT limited to children. Approximately one-half to two-thirds of children with ADHD will continue to have significant problems with ADHD symptoms and behaviors as adults, which impacts their lives on the job, within the family, and in social relationships.ʺ
If you think your child may have ADHD you can review the Centers for Disease Prevention Center (CDC) website which provides an interactive checklist. It is free and very simple to use. You simply check the boxes of possible ADHD symptoms.
Here is the link to the CDC’s ADHD symptoms interactive checklist: http://www.cdc.gov/NCBDDD/adhd/widget/checklist/index.html. Keep in mind that there is not a single test which diagnoses ADHD.
Signs of ADHD may mask other illnesses like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, etc. To be diagnosed with ADHD your child must have displayed ADHD symptoms before the age of seven. Their signs of ADHD must occur often and their symptoms must be exaggerated or severe.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NHMH) the following are ADHD symptoms and ADHD signs:
• Hyperactive
• Impulsive
• Inattention
ADHD hyperactive symptoms include:
• Have difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities
• Have trouble sitting still during dinner, school and story time
• Talk non-stop
• Fidget and squirm in their seats
• Dash around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight
• Constantly in motion
ADHD impulsive symptoms include:
• Often interrupt conversations or others' activities
• Have difficulty waiting for things they want
• Have difficulty waiting their turns in games
• Very impatient
• Blurt out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences
ADHD inattention symptoms include:
• Struggle to follow instructions
• Have difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others
• Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless they are doing something enjoyable
• Have difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new
• Have difficulty focusing on one thing
• Become easily confused
• Distracted easily, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another
• Not seeming to listen when spoken to
• Daydream
• Move slowly
• Have trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities
Also, the NHMS provides a free booklet on ADHD. The free booklet is available at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/adhd_booklet.pdf.
ADHD is manageable and treatable. People with ADHD live successful, prosperous and healthy lives.
References:
ADHD Fact Sheet - Attention Deficit Disorder Association. Attention Deficit Disorder Association. Retrieved November 9, 2011, from
http://www.add.org/?page=ADHD_Fact_Sheet.
CDC - ADHD, Facts - NCBDDD. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 9, 2011, from
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html.
NIMH – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved November 9, 2011, from
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml.
Reviewed November 9, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith
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