What is ADHD?
Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5 describes ADHD as –
- Having 6 out of 9 criteria in the inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity domain.
- It has to be present for more than 6 months, in 2 settings (school, home).
- Should be present before 12 years age.
- Should affect functioning -social, academic and occupational.
- It should be caused by any other medical conditions -which has will be checked by your doctor (which we will discuss in in the next section).
Inattention
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
- Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or during other activities (e.g., overlooks or misses details, work is inaccurate).
- Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities (e.g., has difficulty remaining focused during lectures, conversations, or lengthy reading).
- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly (e.g., mind seems elsewhere, even in the absence of any obvious distraction).
- Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., starts tasks but quickly loses focus and is easily sidetracked).
- Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities (e.g., difficulty managing sequential tasks; difficulty keeping materials and belongings in order; messy, disorganized work; has poor time management; fails to meet deadlines).
- Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (e.g., schoolwork or homework; for older adolescents and adults, preparing reports, completing forms, reviewing lengthy papers).
- Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
- Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli (for older adolescents and adults, may include unrelated thoughts).
- Is often forgetful in daily activities (e.g., doing chores, running errands; for older adolescents and adults, returning calls, paying bills, keeping appointments).
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
- Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet or squirms in seat.
- Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected (e.g- leaves his or her place in the classroom, in the office or other workplace, or in other situations that require remaining in place).
- Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is inappropriate. (Note: In adolescents or adults, may be limited to feeling restless).
- Often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly.
- Often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly.Is often "on the go"acting as if "driven by a motor"
- Often talks excessively.
- Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed (e.g., completes people's sentences; cannot wait for turn in conversation).
- Often has trouble waiting his/her turn (e.g., while waiting in line).
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations, games, or activities; may start using other people's things without asking or receiving permission; for adolescents and adults, may intrude into or take over what others are doing).
- Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were present before age 12 years in two or more settings.
Six (or more) of the following symptoms-
- Have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree.
- that is inconsistent with developmental level and that negatively impacts directly on social and academic/occupational activities.
- The symptoms are not solely a manifestation of oppositional behavior, defiance, hostility, or failure to understand tasks or instructions.