Symptoms of ADHD:
- Difficulty keeping attention during tasks
- Failing to pay attention to details or making careless mistakes
- Not listening continuously even when spoken to directly
- Not following through on instructions and failing to finish tasks
- Problems organizing tasks and activities
- Avoiding tasks that require sustained mental effort
- Often loses things
- Easily distracted
- Forgetful in daily activities
- Problems working quietly
- Often "on the go," acting as if "driven by a motor"
- Talking excessively
- Blurting out answers before questions have been completed
- Difficulty awaiting turn
- Interrupting or intruding on others
Diagnosis:
The diagnosis is based on a pattern of the above listed symptoms. Most people with ADHD have at least one other mental health problem (mood, anxiety or substance abuse disorder, a learning disability). It is very important that a person is evaluated by a mental health professional as many ADHD symptoms may also be present in other mental illnesses even without ADHD and may require a different treatment approach to be successful. In some cases an incorrect diagnosis can actually lead to exacerbation of symptoms instead of their alleviation.
Treatment:
Medication combined with behavioral treatment is usually the best approach. Psychostimulants are the most commonly used ADHD medications but there are other available choices like Strattera.