Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition in which a person has trouble paying attention and focusing on tasks, tends to act without thinking and has trouble sitting still. It may begin in early childhood and can continue into adulthood. Without treatment, ADHD can cause problems at home, school, work and with relationships. In the past, ADHD was called attention deficit disorder (ADD).
ADHD Symptoms
The three types of ADHD symptoms include:
- Inattentive: Individuals may fail to give close attention to details, do not seem to listen when spoken to, may misplace items, fail to follow instructions, and/or have difficulty staying focused for long periods of time such as in class or in work meetings. At home, they may be forgetful, disorganized, and fail to complete routine tasks (e.g., chores, paying bills). They may “hyper-focus” to the detriment of paying attention to the environment (e.g., will not respond when spoken to if engaged in an interesting activity).
- Hyperactive: Individuals may fidget or have an internal sense of restlessness, are easily distracted by novelty within the environment, and/or appear “on the go” or driven by a motor. They make talk incessantly and interrupt others. They may be unable to engage in activities that require sitting for a period of time including leisure activities. They may be overwhelmed with larger projects as they “do not know where to begin” or know how to plan the project effectively.
- Combined: These individuals may demonstrate a combination of symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity.
Diagnosis
ADHD is diagnosed through a thorough clinical interview by a psychiatrist or in some cases with formal neuropsychological testing to assess a person’s thinking abilities.
Screening questionnaires such as the Adult ADHD Self Report Scale (ASRS-V1.1) are used. In addition, patient reports from family, colleagues and employers are often employed to get a sense of the impact ADHD has on others. Take the ASRS-V1.1 »
Adult ADHD Assessment Process »
ADHD Treatment Options
There is no cure for ADHD, but ADHD treatment may help control the symptoms. Treatment may include medicines and behavior therapy. Therapy focuses on making changes in the environment to improve the child’s behavior.
For More Information
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 847.425.6400.