From the Guidelines
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Key Symptoms
- Inattention: characterized by difficulty sustaining focus, following detailed instructions, and making careless mistakes 1
- Hyperactivity: characterized by fidgeting, restlessness, and an inability to engage in quiet leisure activities 1
- Impulsivity: characterized by difficulty waiting for one's turn, interrupting others, and blurting out answers 1
Additional Symptoms
- Executive deficits: in cognitive domains such as visuospatial and verbal working memory, inhibitory control, vigilance, planning, and reward regulation 1
- Sleep problems, depressed mood, and oppositional behavior are common comorbidities 1
- Learning and language problems are also common comorbid conditions with ADHD 1
Diagnosis and Evaluation
- The diagnostic process is aided by assessment tools, such as rating scales and semi-/structured interviews, and guided by classification systems like DSM-5 or ICD-10 1
- A careful and comprehensive clinical interview and behavioral observation of the patient and their family members/caregivers are crucial in making a diagnosis 1
From the Research
Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
The symptoms of ADHD can be categorized into four dimensions of behavior:
- Inattentiveness
- Restlessness
- Impulsiveness
- Hyperactivity 2 These symptoms can affect multiple areas of daily life, such as academic performance and social functioning.
Common Symptoms
Common symptoms of ADHD include:
- Being easily distracted
- Regularly failing to follow through on tasks
- Being restless
- Often interrupting others 3 Adults with ADHD may also experience problems interacting in social relationships, academic functioning, and being part of the community at the workplace and performing work tasks.
Diagnostic Criteria
A diagnosis of ADHD requires a comprehensive clinical history and evaluation, patient symptom and function assessment, and gathering of collateral information 3. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., criteria for ADHD include functionally disruptive inattentive and/or hyperactive/impulsive behaviors.
Overlapping Symptoms with Other Disorders
ADHD symptoms can overlap with other mental disorders, such as anxiety/stress, mood, personality, impulse control, and substance use disorders 3. A thorough evaluation of symptomatic individuals should be individualized and include assessment of educational, psychologic, psychiatric, and family needs 4.