ADHD and its Symptoms

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) consists of two subtypes being either inattention and hyperactivity-impusivity.  A person with ADHD can have either one subtype or both.  

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition), ADHD symptoms include a persistent pattern of six or more symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development of children 12 years of age or younger or five symptoms for individuals aged 17 years and older.  The symptoms will interfere with social, educational and/or work situations and occur in more than one setting such as school and home. Lastly the symptoms will be either mild, moderate or severe.  

Inattention include symptoms that are characterised by:

• Often involving failure to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
• Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
• Not listening when spoken to
• Not following through on instructions and fails to finish duties
• Difficulty organising tasks and activities
• Difficulty with tasks that require sustained mental effort
• Losing things 
• Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
• Forgetful in daily activities

Hyperactivity-impulsivity include symptoms that are characterised by:

• Often involving fidgeting with or taps hands or feet or squirms in seat
• Leaving seat in situations when remaining seated is expected
• Runs about or climbs in situations where it is inappropriate
• Unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly
• On the go
• Talks excessively
• Blurts out an answer before a question has been completed
• Has difficulty waiting his or her turn
• Interrupting or intruding on others

It is important to consider that the above symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity is not a manifestation of oppositional behaviour, defiance, hostility, or failure to understand tasks or instructions.

Source: American Psychiatric Association. (2013).  Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, (5th ed.), Text Revision.  Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. 
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