The nature and severity of ADHD symptoms varies from person to person. Approximately one-third of people with ADHD do not have the hyperactive or overactive behavior component, for example. To meet diagnostic criteria these behaviors must be excessive, pervasive and long-term. The behaviors must appear before age 7 and continue for at least 6 months. The behaviors must create a real handicap in at least two areas of an individual’s life, such as school, home, work, or social settings.
Definition: Attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD). A neurobiological condition characterized by developmentally inappropriate level of attention, concentration, activity, distractability, and impulsivity. ADHD is a diagnosis applied to both children and adults who consistently display certain characteristic behaviors over a period of time.
Common Features:*poor sustained attention to tasks, distractability*excessive activity and physical restlessness, hyperactivity *impaired impulse control and delay of gratification, impulsivity
There are three sub-categories of attention deficit disorder: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Combined Type Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Predominantly Inattentive Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Predominantly Hyperactive or Impulsive
Diagnostic Criteria dor Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder:
Inattention: often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes *often has difficulty sustaining attention to tasks*often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly*often fails to follow instructions carefully and completely*often has difficulty organizing tasks *often loses things necessary for task or activities*often forgetful in daily activities*ioften easily distracted by outside stimuli
Hyperactivity: often fidgeting with hands or feet, or squirming*often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected*often talks excessively*often “on the go”*often has difficulty engaging in leisure activities quietly*often running or climbing excessively at times where it is inappropriate
Impulsivity: often blurts out answers before hearing the whole question*often has difficulty awaiting turn*often interrupts others or intrudes on others
Source: According to the DSM-IV (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition)
