Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is one of the disorders under the Pervasive Developmental Disorders category. This is a disorder of childhood, which means that the development of symptoms is usually in one's childhood and not in adulthood. Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder or Personality disorders are often misdiagnosed as ADHD, which can have detrimental results for the misdiagnosed individual.


Symptoms of ADHD do not suddenly appear in adulthood. They are something that dates back to ones young years and these symptoms must have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level of the individual.

There are two categories of symptoms that one with ADHD can exhibit. They are categorized as either inattention symptoms or hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms.

Individuals with inattention symptoms are:

1. often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
2. often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
3. often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
4. often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish projects or assignments unintentionally
5. often has difficulty with organizing
6. often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in activities that require sustained mental effort
7. often loses things (i.e., keys, tools, assignments)
8. is often easily distracted
9. is often forgetful.

Individuals with hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms are:

1. often fidget or has difficult time sitting still
2. often has difficult time remaining seated
3. often runs or climbs excessively in situations in which such behavior is inappropriate
4. often talks excessively and interrupts others when they are talking
5. often blurts out answers even before the questions have been completed
6. often has difficult time awaiting ones turn
7. often intrudes on others’ conversations or activities without invitations to do so.

One can have ADHD that have combined symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity or just have one or the other.

Please note that an individual suffering from other psychiatric disorders can experience similar symptoms in absence of actual ADHD. If you feel that you have some of most of these symptoms and have had to deal with them for more than 6 months at a time, you should contact a mental health professional for more thorough evaluation.