{"id":446,"date":"2017-06-01T10:13:11","date_gmt":"2017-06-01T10:13:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=446"},"modified":"2021-03-10T17:36:58","modified_gmt":"2021-03-10T17:36:58","slug":"13-common-symptoms-adhd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/13-common-symptoms-adhd\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Most Common Symptoms of ADHD"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"ADHD is an acronym of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This is a condition that can make certain activities difficult for those that suffer from it and particularly activities such as learning or completing large amounts of work.<\/p>\n

ADHD is largely characterized by an inability to pay attention for long periods of time. Short attention spans and a lack of interest can then express themselves as bad behavior in young children in a classroom setting, as they don\u2019t want to sit through lessons or engage with the tasks they are given. ADHD is not purely a condition that affects children though and can also be seen in many adults.<\/p>\n

There are many different theories as to what ADHD is and what the best way to treat it is. It is often suggested that ADHD might in fact be adaptive in certain ways \u2013 it might suggest that an individual is particularly intelligent and needs more interesting activities to stimulate them. It is also often seen as a failing of the education system that is only designed for certain \u2018types\u2019 of learners.<\/p>\n

Others theories suggest that ADHD is a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain, perhaps caused by low dopamine. These theories lead to treatments that involve medications designed to placate children with ADHD and help them to get on better in school.<\/p>\n

It is up to the parent ultimately to decide how to treat their child\u2019s ADHD. Whatever the decision though, it is important to be able to spot the symptoms and identify the issue. Here are 13 of the most common symptoms to look out for\u2026<\/p>\n

1. \u00a0Fidgeting<\/h3>\n

Fidgeting is commonly associated with ADHD and is an expression of nervous energy. Fidgeting, like ADHD, has also been linked with low dopamine<\/a> which makes it hard for people to sit and focus on a single task. Some suggestion has been made that fidgeting might actually be a useful release of energy and that this could help sufferers to better stay focused. This has led to the popularity of \u2018fidget toys\u2019 including the massively popular \u2018fidget spinners\u2019 which are designed for this purpose.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. \u00a0RLS<\/h3>\n

RLS is a condition similar to fidgeting<\/a>. This stands for \u2018Restless Leg Syndrome\u2019 and describes the need to be constantly moving, often by bobbing a leg up and down or rocking from side to side.<\/p>\n

Those with RLS often describe the condition as making them feel uncomfortable until they move. This discomfort is not painful but simply hard to ignore.<\/p>\n

RLS can be a symptom of ADHD and is once again connected to low dopamine.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. \u00a0Incessant Talking<\/h3>\n

Those with ADHD<\/a> will often talk incessantly, rapidly and continuously \u2013 even in inappropriate settings. This isn\u2019t a bad trait in itself but it can be tiring for others and especially if there is a need for quiet in order to listen to what a teacher is saying or to engage with a task.<\/p>\n

This is one symptom that can often lead young children to get into trouble in school and which can lead to arguments.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. \u00a0Reckless Behavior<\/h3>\n

Those with ADHD may engage in reckless behavior and this is particularly common in adults. For example, reckless driving is often associated with ADHD, which in turn increases the likelihood of accidents.<\/p>\n

This may stem from an impatience<\/a> and an inability to think ahead. Someone with ADHD might not want to wait in order to pull out from a junction and so they might take chances that others wouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Another common issue for those with ADHD, is that they struggle to pay attention to small details. This can once again make it harder for them to drive properly and increase the likelihood of accidents.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. \u00a0Poor Organization<\/h3>\n

Those with ADHD will often have poor organization. In children, this might express itself as an inability to hand in homework on time, or constantly losing things.<\/p>\n

In adults, it could be poor organization<\/a> of documents and of important files. It might also cause the loss of items, lateness and a general cluttered and disheveled appearance.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. \u00a0Poor Listening<\/h3>\n

Those with ADHD struggle to listen to others speak for long periods and this can make them more likely to miss important points or to interrupt.<\/p>\n

To understand how this is all linked, it is useful to consider what the role of dopamine is. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter<\/a> that is released when we are focusing on something we deem important \u2013 such as goal-oriented behavior. Because those with ADHD produce less dopamine (it is thought) this means that things seem less important and less engaging as a result.<\/p>\n

However, the question is whether low dopamine is the cause or the symptom. It might be that people with ADHD produce less dopamine because they find things less engaging.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. \u00a0Easily Distracted<\/h3>\n

As the name \u2018attention deficit\u2019 might suggest, those with ADHD struggle to stay focused on one task. Not only do they struggle to become engaged with the task at hand, but it only then takes for there to be a loud noise, or something else interesting going on, for the child or adult to instantly switch their attention that way. Likewise, it only takes for them to think of something else to do for them to start doing that instead.<\/p>\n

This might reveal itself as procrastination<\/a>. If you or someone you know constantly struggles to start a task and is instead always checking their phone or Facebook, this could be a sign of ADHD.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. \u00a0Lateness\/Poor Time Keeping<\/h3>\n

A combination of poor organization and a lack of seeming importance can result in those with ADHD arriving places late. This is harder to diagnose in children, as their time-keeping will often be dictated by their parents.<\/p>\n

However, parents might notice that their children fail to recognize when they should be in a hurry and take too long getting ready as a result. This can further result in difficulties<\/a> in school.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. \u00a0Angry Outbursts<\/h3>\n

The symptoms of ADHD can be highly frustrating and especially for young children. They might feel that they are being picked on by their teachers, or that they are being forced to sit through things that they find boring or pointless.<\/p>\n

As a result, this can sometimes result in angry outbursts<\/a> as all that pent-up frustration is released. Of course, this can further lead to disciplinary action and difficulty in school and this is yet another reason that children with ADHD might struggle academically.<\/p>\n

In fact, this in itself can be considered a symptom. If a child struggles to fulfill their potential at school, then ADHD should be considered as one possible explanation.<\/p>\n

\"\"10. \u00a0In Ability to Sit Still<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not just fidgeting that can afflict those with ADHD. Children and adults<\/a> alike might similarly find it hard to sit through long lessons or long discussions and might simply get up and start moving around.<\/p>\n

They likewise might run around a lot during breaks and generally struggle in situations where they are required to stay still or to move more slowly.<\/p>\n

\"\"11. \u00a0Inability to \u2018Wait for Their Turn\u2019<\/h3>\n

Those with ADHD can struggle to wait for their turn. This can express itself in numerous ways: perhaps an inability<\/a> to queue up for an event, or maybe a need to constantly interrupt during conversation. This can be made worse in a group conversation and you might notice a constant need to speak over other people.<\/p>\n

In a group activity, those with ADHD might make their way to the front, might push others, or might simply appear to bask in attention and limelight, not recognizing that others are missing out as a result.<\/p>\n

\"\"12. \u00a0Making Careless Mistakes<\/h3>\n

Many of the symptoms of ADHD make it easy to make careless<\/a> mistakes. Those that suffer might find themselves focusing more on the big picture, rushing tasks or just failing to give them the attention they deserve.<\/p>\n

As a result, they might become more prone to missing small details, or otherwise making mistakes that go on to get them into trouble or to result in a less effective job or less well-rounded task.<\/p>\n

\"\"13. \u00a0Forgetfulness<\/h3>\n

Those with ADHD might be prone to forgetfulness<\/a>. This is common because memory is defined by the importance we assign something. If we think something is very important, then our brain will release key neurotransmitters that encode it as important and which make it easier to retrieve in future. At the same time, a feeling that something is important will help us to focus on that important task or thing we are supposed to remember.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, if your mind is constantly being distracted by different things and you find yourself flitting from one stimulus to the next, then you can struggle to keep important notes on your mind and thus end up forgetting things.<\/p>\n

All these are symptoms of ADHD and any of them can suggest that an individual has difficulty with attention. However, it is also important to note that they can likewise be the result of normal processes and it could just be that the individual is easily distracted or struggles with attention. Look for a combination of these symptoms and then speak with your GP for a proper diagnosis.<\/p>\n\r\n

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