Identifying Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that becomes apparent in some children in preschool or grade school. Developing coping skills at a young age may be challenging, but the effort is worth while in order to help a young person achieve his or her full potential.

If a loved one is experiencing problems in life because of inattention or hyperactivity he or she may have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a mental disorder that is usually diagnosed during childhood. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), criteria for this disorder requires one of two patterns of symptoms:

1. The individual must exhibit six or more of the following symptoms of inattention. These symptoms must have persisted for at least six months, and must be causing significant impairment in the child’s functioning:

Inattention

• Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
• Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
• Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
• Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)
• Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
• Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)
• Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (toys, school assignments, pencils, books, tools, etc.)
• Is often easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli
• Is often forgetful in daily activities
2. The individual must exhibit six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity.These symptoms must have persisted for at least six months, and must be causing significant impairment in the child’s functioning:

Hyperactivity

• Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
• Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
• Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults it may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)
• Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
• Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor"
• Often talks excessively

Impulsivity

• Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
• Often has difficulty awaiting a turn
• Often interrupts or intrudes on others’ conversations or games

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