Signs and symptoms of ADHD in children, adolescents and adults
Key features seen in all ADHD sufferers
- ADHD sufferers have difficulty in suppressing impulse. Therefore, they respond to all impulses, being unable to exclude those that are unnecessary for the situation.
- Rather than failing to pay attention, they pay more attention to more cues than the average person, and are unable to stop the relentless flow of information.
- These individuals fail to pause, to consider the situation, options and consequences before exercising volition.
- They frequently report that they function best when caught 'in the thrill of it all' whatever the 'all' may be.
- To others, these individuals may appear overactive or restless.
Key characteristics in children
- Impulsive - talk out of turn.
- Fidgety.
- Flit from one task to another - thereby becoming disorganised in thoughts and actions.
- Difficulty staying with a subject unless very interested.
- Can be more easily visually or auditorily distracted.
- "Fly off the hook".
- Not being aware of the impact of their actions on others.
- Being remorseful but lacking insight.
- Falling out of friendships with other children.
- Often unpopular with other children and tending to become isolated.
- Reckless.
- Accident-prone.
- Break rules.
- Suffer with low self-esteem.
Key characteristics in adults
- Easily distracted.
- On the go all the time.
- Impulsive behaviour.
- Take more risks, thrill seek.
- Feel restless.
- Disorganised.
- Blurt out inappropriate remarks.
- Difficulty in being aware of tone and volume of voice.
- Interrupt others.
- Doing or saying things that they later regret (cause of much embarrassment).
- Talking excessively.
- Fidgety.
- Difficulty seeing a project through to completion.
- Executive function deficits.
- Often forgetful.
