The primary symptoms of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are generally categorized into two main types: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms can vary widely among individuals and can change over time. Here’s a detailed look at each category:
- Inattention:
- Lack of focus: Difficulty in sustaining attention in tasks or play activities, often seeming not to listen when spoken to directly.
- Disorganization: Trouble organizing tasks and activities, often losing things necessary for tasks or activities.
- Avoidance of tasks requiring sustained mental effort: This includes schoolwork, homework, or preparing reports.
- Forgetfulness: Often forgetting daily activities, like chores, errands, or returning calls.
- Easily Distracted: Getting sidetracked by unrelated thoughts or stimuli.
- Failure to follow through: Not completing schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace due to distractibility or avoidance.
- Hyperactivity-Impulsivity:
- Fidgeting or tapping: Inability to sit still, frequent fidgeting or squirming.
- Leaving seat in situations where remaining seated is expected: Such as in the classroom or the office.
- Running or climbing in inappropriate situations: In adults, this may be more of an internal restlessness.
- Inability to play or engage in leisure activities quietly.
- Talking excessively.
- Blurting out answers: Interrupting before a question has been completed.
- Difficulty waiting their turn.
- Interrupting or intruding on others: Such as butting into conversations or games.
It’s important to note that everyone might experience some of these symptoms occasionally. However, in individuals with ADHD, these behaviors are more severe, occur more often, and interfere with or reduce the quality of how they function socially, at school, or in a job. Additionally, these symptoms must be present for at least six months, be inappropriate for the developmental level, and not be better explained by another mental disorder.
Products to Help with ADHD
Timers and alarms can help manage time and transitions between activities.
Planners and calendars for organizing schedules and keeping track of appointments and deadlines.
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