Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a form of neurological condition that exhibits a continuous pattern of hyperactive impulsivity with or without inattention. This, in turn, impacts the daily functioning of an individual, disrupting their everyday life. There is no restriction on who can be possibly diagnosed with this condition as it impacts everyone without bias towards age or gender.
While the symptoms may be similar between adults or children diagnosed with ADHD, the way the effect bears a mark varies. If you or your loved ones are experiencing some of the symptoms for more than 6 months, it could be a sign of ADHD. In the event that you suspect you have ADHD, it is always essential to reach out for professional medical help so that you or the affected one can easily get their life back together before it starts to have a serious impact.
As per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a person suffering from at least six or more of the symptoms could have ADHD.
The checklist for symptoms associated with inattentiveness in ADHD:
- A constant failure to pay close attention at details or constantly make silly or careless mistakes in any form of work including school, work, or even home.
- Difficult to pay attention to any task
- Inability to listen to the speaker
- Failure to complete a task or follow instructions
- Difficulty with organization skills
- Any activity that requires mental effort is simply unappealing or disliked
- Constant loss of things
- A simple external trigger causes the ceasing of attention
- Everyday activities easily are forgotten
Checklist for symptoms associated with hyperactivity-impulsivity in ADHD:
- Constant fidgeting with things
- Unnecessary movement in and around a familiar setting when expected to be seated in one place
- Inappropriate movement by climbing or running about without purpose
- Inability to quietly engage in any form of leisurely activities
- Has a constant driven-by-a-motor attitude
- Too much of talking
- Answering questions before the question is completed
- No patience
- Impairment caused before the age of 7 possibly due to the result of engaging in an inattentive or hyper-impulsive task
- Any form of impairment towards a task or setting
- Clear evidence that the individual is exhibiting impairment in functioning in a social, academic, or any form of occupational setting.
Most of these symptoms may not simply occur just due to the presence of some other form of mental disorder. It is important to keep track of ADHD symptoms even if you slightly doubt its prevalence as it can easily affect one’s life in major ways. When caught on time, an individual can find ways to overcome the situations and develop mechanisms for undisrupted existence through various treatment options including medication and therapy.
