What Is ADHD?

Is it hard to pay attention? Do you feel the need to move constantly? Do you find yourself always interrupting others? If these issues are negatively impacting your daily life, it could be a sign of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

ADHD is a disorder that makes it difficult for a person to pay attention and control impulsive behaviors. It causes those who have ADHD to be restless and almost constantly active.

ADHD is often mistaken as a childhood disorder, but it can continue through adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD begin in childhood and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. The hyperactivity tends to improve as a child becomes a teen, problems with inattention, disorganization, and poor impulse control often continue through the teen years and into adulthood.

Warning Signs Of ADHD

People with ADHD show three different types of symptoms:

1. Hyperactivity – is overactive, moving about, not able to focus
2. Inattention – has difficulty paying attention
3. Impulsiveness – acting without thinking

The symptoms mentioned above can get in the way of daily functioning and/or development. Those who have ADHD will have their own unique combination of these symptoms:

• Difficulty paying attention: while having conversations, listening to lectures, while playing and reading materials that are lengthy
• Easily distracted or sidetracked: by other stimuli and unrelated thoughts
• Forgetting daily routines: keeping appointments, returning calls, chores and errand
• Failing to follow instructions for: homework, chores, work and other activities
• Difficulty listening while someone is speaking directly to them
• Missing details: making careless mistakes at school, work or during other activities
• Problems organizing tasks and activities while: doing tasks that must be completed in sequence
• Cannot keep: materials and belongings in order, organized work space, meeting deadlines and order for time management
• Losing things that are needed to complete tasks and/ or activities: school supplies, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eye glasses and cell phone
• Avoiding tasks that are not liked or that require lengthy mental effort: homework, reports, forms or looking at lengthy paperwork

Symptoms Of Hyperactivity And Impulsiveness:

• Inappropriately running, climbing, jumping and restlessness in situations where it is not appropriate
• Exclaiming answers before a questioned is finished
• Finishing others people’s sentences
• Talking non-stop and/or speaking out of turn in a conversation
• Difficulty waiting for their turn
• Unable to engage in activities quietly while: playing, working and engaging in a hobby
• Interrupting or interjecting on others during: conversations, work, play or activities
• Inability to keep still or constantly in motion: fidgeting, squirming or constantly on-the-go
• Cannot stay still in situations where staying seated is expected: in the classroom, in the office, in an auditorium or in an air plane

Exhibiting these symptoms does not mean a person has ADHD. Other disorders like anxiety, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms.

If you are concerned about whether you or your child may have ADHD, first talk to your physician to see if the symptoms fit the diagnosis. The diagnosis can be made by a mental health professional, like a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist, primary care provider or pediatrician.

Contact Mathers Clinic

Contact us to schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist or for more information about our services by calling (815) 444.9999. You may also email us at info@themathersclinic.com. We look forward to helping you meet with a psychologist at a time that works well for you.