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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.

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