ADHD
What is ADHD?
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It’s usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood.
What are the 3 types of ADHD and their symptoms?
There are 3 different ways we can show ADHD and therefore different symptoms that align with them. They include:
The inattentive type
- Short attention span for age (difficulty sustaining attention)
- Difficulty listening to others
- Difficulty attending to details
- Easily distracted
- Forgetful
- Poor organisational skills for age
- Poor study skills for age
The impulsive type
- Often interrupts others
- Difficulty waiting for his or her turn in school and/or social games
- Tends to blurt out answers instead of waiting to be called upon
- Takes frequent risks, and often doesn’t think before acting
The hyperactive type
- Constantly in motion; and runs or climbs, at times with no apparent goal except motion
- Difficulty remaining in his/her seat even when it is expected
- Fidgets with hands or squirms when in his or her seat; fidgeting excessively
- Talks excessively
- Has difficulty engaging in quiet activities
- Loses or forgets things repeatedly and often
- Inability to stay on task; shifts from one task to another without bringing any to completion
As symptoms can change over time, so can the presentation. Additionally, often individuals will find they have a combination of 2 of the above, or all 3. This demonstrates the significant fluidity of ADHD as a highly-individualised disorder.
What does ADHD look like in adults compared to children?
ADHD can present differently across individuals, age, and gender. Males typically exhibit hyperactive and/or impulsive symptoms whereas females will often example inattentive symptoms. Meanwhile, about one in three children with ADHD show remission by adulthood. Inattention symptoms have a greater persistence into adulthood and show a slower decline than hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms.
For adults, hyperactivity symptoms become felt more internally than observed outwardly.
ADHD symptoms: What are common daily challenges adults with ADHD may experience?
- Anxiety
- Chronic boredom
- Chronic lateness and forgetfulness
- Depression
- Trouble concentrating when reading
- Trouble controlling anger
- Problems at work
- Impulsiveness
- Low tolerance for frustration
- Low self-esteem
- Mood swings
- Poor organisational skills
- Procrastination
- Relationship problems
- Substance abuse or addiction
- Low motivation
Can ADHD be a ”superpower”? Read here to discover.
ADHD testing for adults and children
At Mind Matters, we can conduct a thorough and comprehensive ADHD assessment. Read more about adult ADHD assessment and assessments for children.