Symptoms and Diagnosis of ADHD

As mentioned in an earlier blog, there are a number of symptoms associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Depending on the severity and nature of the symptoms, they are categorized and presented in many variations; they often are described as one of the following:

1. Inattention;
2. Hyperactivity; and
3. Impulsivity 

Inattention is the inability of the child to pay attention, and can include moderate to relatively severe variations of the following, as adapted from the National Institute of Mental Health (1):

·        Be easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another

·        Have difficulty focusing on one thing

·        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 trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities

·        Not seem to listen when spoken to

·        Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly

·        Have difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others

·        Struggle to follow instructions.

Hyperactivity is described as over-activity during activities that generally require sublime tasks, and can include the following:

·        Fidget and squirm in their seats

·        Talk nonstop

·        Dash around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight

·        Have trouble sitting still during dinner, school, and story time

·        Be constantly in motion

·        Have difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities.

Finally, impulsivity is described as a lack of patience, but can also include the following:

                                  ·        Blurting out inappropriate comments, showing their emotions without restraint, and acting without regard for consequences

·        Having difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games

·        Dashing around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight

Although the aforementioned behaviors may be observed in all children, the factor that separates children diagnosed with ADHD is the frequency and severity of the behaviors. There is no set test to determine whether or not a child has ADHD. To properly diagnose ADHD (2), a physician will typically ask the child’s parents, school and caregivers about the child’s behaviors.

In order to diagnose the child, the physician will determine whether the child’s behavior is significantly obtrusive relative to other children from a questionnaire (see image) usually adapted from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). Usually if the child expresses multiple behaviors from one of the symptoms of ADHD, they will be diagnosed with it.

Ultimately it is the physician’s best judgment to determine whether or not the child has ADHD. Check back next week to learn about the prognosis of ADHD, or how it progresses in the individual.

1) "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder." NIMH RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2013.

2) "Diagnosing ADHD: Tests for Kids and Adults." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2013.