What is ADHD?
ADHD is a chronic neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral disorder. People with with this disorder usually have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behavior or being overly active.
It is a chronic disorder that affects people throughout their lives, mostly starting in childhood. While it is typically a lifelong condition, symptoms can improve with age and proper treatment.
ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, is not a new phenomenon. Symptoms of ADHD have been described since the 19th century, when children showing excessive hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsiveness were noted. Over the years, ADHD has been renamed several times, such as “minimal brain dysfunction” in the 1930s and ADD before ADHD in the 1980s.
Types of ADHD
ADHD can be categorized into 3 main types:
Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
- Difficulty staying focused
- Difficulty paying attention to details
- Hard to organize or finish tasks
- Difficulty following instructions or listening to conversations
- Easily distracted or forgets details of daily routine
- Frequently loses things
- Makes careless mistakes due to inattention
- Avoids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
- Fidgets or taps hands and feet, squirms in seat
- talks a lot, interrupts others and blurt out answers before a question are finished
- Has a hard time sitting still and often feels restless
- Grabs things from people runs around at inappropriate times or in inappropriate situations
- Unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly
- Finds it difficult to wait their turn or listen to directions
Combined Presentation
- A combination of the above two types, with both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms equally present
Typical Developmental Behavior vs. ADHD
Most children, especially when younger ones, can sometimes be inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive, preschoolers often have a short attention spans and switch activities frequently, similarly to most of their peers. The attention span of older, school-age children and adolescents can also vary widely. So, how do we distinguish typical developmental behavior from ADHD, and when should further diagnostic assessment be considered?
Generally, the difference lies in the severity of symptoms and their impact on daily life, school, and relationships. In ADHD is a chronic disorder where symptoms are more intense and consistently interfere with the person’s ability to function effectively. If inattentiveness, hyperactivity, or impulsiveness negatively affects a person’s daily activities, academic performance, or social interactions, it may be time to see a professional provider for further evaluation.