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ADHD Symptoms

ADHD symptoms do not appear suddenly or quickly. It can take several months before they are all present. More often than not, impulsiveness and hyperactivity precede the symptom of inattention. Inattention can take a year or longer before it presents in the patient.

The specific symptoms that one will most often see include lack of organizational skills, excessive talking, and constant fidgeting. These same actions are often seen in normal children which makes the diagnosis ADHD very difficult. A qualified healthcare professional is needed in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
 
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, main ADHD symptoms are:
  • Inattention
  • Hyperactivity
  • Impulsivity
 

Inattention Issues

Children, and adults, that suffer with inattention symptoms often have trouble staying focused on one thing at a time. They get bored easily after only a few moments of doing something. Oddly enough, when they are engaged in activities that they like, they seem able to stay focused for longer periods of time. This will change, however, if they are made to do things that require organizing or learning a new skill set or task.
 
For younger, school-age children, homework can be particularly difficult. They often do not write down their assignments or when they do, they forget to take it home. They forget their books or will occasionally bring home the wrong one. Homework, if done at all, often contains many mistakes and omissions. For parents and child alike, homework can be frustrating.
 

Issues with Hyperactivity

For those children who suffer with hyperactivity, the main symptom is that they are nearly always in constant action, doing something. It is not uncommon for these children to run around, touching everything they can get their hands on. They tend to talk constantly as well. For these kids, sitting still is nearly impossible, which makes for challenges at school and at home. Between the squirming, running around, and fidgeting, they simply do not seem able to remain still.
 
For teenagers or adults who have ADHD symptoms that include hyperactivity, the activity is more internal than external. They often feel restless, and will constantly be busy doing something.
 

Issues with Impulsivity

Children may also have ADHD symptoms that are related to impulsivity. These children often seem unable to control their actions or reactions. In other words, they act before they think. These children are known to say inappropriate things at inappropriate times. They will often show their emotions freely and without restraint. Most of them do not seem to link the action with later consequences. This impulsivity can often make it difficult for the child to wait on people or to wait for objects they want. They often have a hard time following the rules of games.
 
Teenagers and even adults who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder impulsivity symptoms often will choose to do activities that result in immediate results. This can lead to trouble as adult life often requires long-term goals with delayed rewards.
 

Three Types of ADHD Symptoms

ADHD has three subtypes of symptoms that are recognized by health professionals. They are:
  • Predominantly hyperactive with impulsivity: This type shows no significant inattention issues.
  • Predominantly inattentive type: This type does not include any significant hyperactive-impulsive behavior. The old terms was ADD which is not used any longer.
  • Combined type: This type displays inattentive as well as hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
 

ADHD Symptoms: Progression

The amount of time it takes to show the symptoms of ADHD. In some cases, most cases actually, the symptoms will appear slowly over several months. In many instances, the last symptom to show itself is that of inattention. This one may take a year or longer before it is noticeable. Impulsiveness and hyperactivity will normally come first.
 
Settings, situations, and conditions will also vary. ADHD symptoms are known to appear more frequently in different settings. Or to be more precise, they are often noticed more in certain settings. For example, a hyperactive child is likely to be more noticed in a classroom setting because of his or her constant movement. But within that same classroom, a child suffering from inattentive disorders may not be noticed at all, as he or she is usually quietly daydreaming.