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ADHD: What is it?
A psychiatric disorder in which individuals have significant difficulty paying attention, controlling their impulses and/or have a high level of activity that:
- is not age appropriate,
- is present for more than 6 months and is not due to another disorder
- is observed before the age of 7 years
- is observed in more than one setting (e.g., home & school)
- has a negative impact on functioning/causes impairment
Symptoms of Inattention
- Carelessness
- Difficulty sustaining attention
- Difficulty listening
- Difficulty completing activities
- Avoidance of or distaste for tasks requiring sustained mental effort
- Disorganization
- Frequently misplaces important items
- High distractibility
- Forgetfulness in daily activities
Symptoms of Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
- Squirms and fidgets
- Can't stay seated
- Runs/climbs excessively
- Can't play/work quietly
- On the go/”Driven by a motor”
- Talks excessively
- Blurts out answers
- Can't wait turn
- Intrudes upon/interrupts others
Additional Facts about ADHD
- Affects 3-5% of school-aged children
- More common in boys
- Accounts for 30-50% of mental health referrals in children
- Symptoms remit in many children, but can persist into adulthood
- Highly heritable
- Has been linked to differences in brain structure and function
- Has been associated with difficulties in certain cognitive abilities
Summary
- ADHD is an impairing neuropsychiatric disorder that affects a substantial number of individuals in areas of social, academic, occupational, and daily functioning.
- ADHD symptoms are first apparent during early childhood and persist in a substantial proportion of these children throughout their lifespan.
- The nature of symptoms frequently changes over the lifespan, such that hyperactivity/impulsivity is less evident while inattention becomes more apparent in those afflicted.
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