What Is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by trouble focusing for long periods of time, due to trouble sustaining attention and/or sitting still. ADHD affects individuals of all ages, often leading to many challenges in daily life. In this blog post, we will discuss the signs and symptoms of ADHD, along with the diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition), to promote a better understanding of this complex disorder.
What Are The Signs and Symptoms of ADHD?
Signs and symptoms of ADHD can be differentiated into two categories, the inattentive symptoms and the hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
Inattention Symptoms of ADHD
Individuals with ADHD may show several signs of inattention, which can manifest in various aspects of life, including school, work, and social interactions. Key symptoms include:
- Difficulty Sustaining Attention: Challenges in maintaining focus on tasks or play activities, often seeming to drift away in tasks requiring sustained mental effort.
- Disorganization: Struggles with organizing tasks and activities, which may result in missed deadlines, chaotic workspaces, and a general sense of disarray.
- Forgetfulness in Daily Activities: Frequently forgetting routine tasks, such as appointments, obligations, or errands, even if they are part of the individual’s daily routine.
- Avoidance of Tasks Requiring Mental Effort: A tendency to avoid, dislike, or be reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as schoolwork or homework.
- Difficulty Following Through on Instructions: Failure to complete schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace, not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions.
Hyperactivity-Impulsivity Symptoms of ADHD
Hyperactivity and impulsivity in ADHD manifest through behaviors that are excessively energetic or hasty, often in inappropriate situations. Symptoms include:
Fidgeting and Restlessness
Frequent fidgeting with hands or feet, or squirming in seat. An inability to stay seated in situations where it is expected.
Excessive Talking
A tendency to talk excessively, often interrupting or intruding on others’ conversations or activities.
Difficulty Waiting Their Turn
Impatience and difficulties in waiting for their turn in games or group situations, often leading to interrupting or acting out of turn.
Running or Climbing in Inappropriate Situations
In children, a constant motion, including running or climbing in situations where it is not appropriate. In adults, this may manifest as restlessness.
Acting Without Much Thought
Demonstrating behaviors that seem to be acted on the spur of the moment without forethought, which can lead to potential harm or engaging in activities with a high potential for painful consequences.
What are the DSM-5 Criteria for ADHD?
The DSM-5 outlines specific criteria to diagnose ADHD, considering both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity:
Inattention:
Six or more symptoms of inattention present for children up to age 16, or five or more for adolescents 17 and older and adults. Symptoms must have persisted for at least six months, causing impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.
- Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or during other activities (e.g., overlooks or misses details, work is inaccurate).
- Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities (e.g., has difficulty remaining focused during lectures, conversations, or lengthy reading).
- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly (e.g., mind seems elsewhere, even in the absence of any obvious distraction).
- Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., starts tasks but quickly loses focus and is easily sidetracked).
- Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities (e.g., difficulty managing sequential tasks; difficulty keeping materials and belongings in order; messy, disorganized work; has poor time management; fails to meet deadlines).
- Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (e.g., schoolwork or homework; for older adolescents and adults, preparing reports, completing forms, reviewing lengthy papers).
- Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
- Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli (for older adolescents and adults, may include unrelated thoughts).
- Is often forgetful in daily activities (e.g., doing chores, running errands; for older adolescents and adults, returning calls, paying bills, keeping appointments).
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity:
Six or more symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity present for children up to age 16, or five or more for adolescents 17 and older and adults. Symptoms must have persisted for at least six months, causing impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.
- Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.
- Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected (e.g., leaves his or her place in the classroom, in the office or other workplace, or in other situations that require remaining in place).
- Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is inappropriate (Note: In adolescents or adults, may be limited to feeling restless).
- Often unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly.
- Is often “on the go,” acting as if “driven by a motor” (e.g., is unable to be or uncomfortable being still for extended time, as in restaurants, meetings; may be experienced by others as being restless or difficult to keep up with).
- Often talks excessively.
- Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed (e.g., completes people’s sentences; cannot wait for turn in conversation).
- Often has difficulty waiting his or her turn (e.g., while waiting in line).
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations, games, or activities; may start using other people’s things without asking or receiving permission; for adolescents and adults, may intrude into or take over what others are doing).
Combined Presentation:
Both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms are present for the past six months.
