If you watch television, read magazines, listen to the radio, or even look at the billboards as you drive down the road you are probably familiar with ADHD. While it is a commonly used term, many people don't really know what it is, let alone if it could be a condition that they or their children are suffering from.
What is it?
ADHD is short of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. ADHD is also known as ADD or attention deficit disorder. It is a condition that affects and estimated three to five percent of children, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Others believe that this estimate is quite low, with eight to 10 percent of all school age children suffering from ADHD.
Children or adults can have ADHD, though symptoms first start to be seen during childhood. Those who have ADHD usually have a difficult time staying on task or concentrating. They may have a difficult time following directions and they are usually much more impulsive than their peers. As patients with ADHD age they usually have more problems with organization, time management, goal setting, and even employment. These troubles can make it difficult to have fulfilling relationships and they may also be prone to addiction as well as low self esteem.
Symptoms of Inattention
Inattention is usually seen in those who have ADHD. How severe the inattention is varies from person to person but some of the most common symptoms are being easily distracted and finding it difficult to follow directions. The individual may have a difficult time keeping things organized, they may not listen when someone is speaking, and they may have a hard time finishing tasks that have been started. An individual with ADHD may also lose a lot of their own things and be described as a daydreamer.
Symptoms of Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity is usually seen in children with ADHD. Hyperactivity is also varied from person to person but usually the individual will have a difficult time sitting still, they cannot stay seated when told to do so, and they usually have a difficult time doing anything in quiet, focused manner. Hyperactivity may also not be able to stop running and climbing on things, and generally they talk much more than their peers without ADHD.
Symptoms of Impulse Control
The individual with ADHD is usually very impulsive. This can be seen in people of all ages starting with a difficulty waiting for their turn to do just about anything and interrupting others while talking. Impulse control may also mean that even when there is a plan to do one thing, the patient does something completely different. This makes it difficult to get good grades, hold down a job, make friends, and maintain relationships because the impulsive behavior makes getting along with others difficult at times.
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