ADD / ADHD

[scottobear]

People experience ADHD symptoms with varying degrees of severity. The diagnosis, too, can be quite subjective, varying from doctor
to doctor.  But generally, a child, teenager, or adult who persistently has six or more of the following symptoms or behavioral patterns (from either list) may have ADHD and be a candidate for an ADHD drug.  In children, ADHD is more likely to be diagnosed if (a)
the symptoms started before age 7, (b) have been ongoing for at least six months, and (c) there is disruption at home and school.

Inattention

• Difficulty paying attention to details
• Frequent hasty mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
• Difficulty sustaining attention in performing tasks or play activities
• Difficulty listening when spoken to directly
• Unable or slow to complete assignments and tasks
• Difficulty organizing tasks and activities
• Difficulty with tasks that require sustained mental effort
• Loses things necessary for tasks or activities
• Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli or sights or sounds
• Easily bored
• Forgetful in daily activities
• Tendency to daydream

Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

• Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair
• Leaves seat in classroom or in situations in which remaining seated is expected
• Runs around excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate
• Difficulty engaging in leisure activities in a quiet manner
• “On the go” or acting as if “driven by a motor” much of the time
• Excessive or impulsive talking
• Blurts out answers before questions have been completed
• Difficulty in waiting for his or her turn to speak
• Interrupts or intrudes on others
• Hot-tempered; easily agitated or angered
• Low tolerance of stress

Originally published at The Scotto Grotto. You can comment here or there.