ADHD
ADD/ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood and has essential features of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that causes impairment in functioning in a variety of environments. Inattention occurs when a person cannot pay attention, is often off-task, and has a hard time completing tasks. Hyperactivity is excessive motor activity when not appropriate or excessive fidgeting, talking, and possible restlessness in adults. Symptoms of ADHD can vary greatly among children and adults and can change over time. Importantly, some adults have inattentive symptoms that are impairing, but not hyperactive symptoms. Symptoms appear before the age of twelve and can be lifelong and result in impairment in functioning in school, work, and community activities. ADHD can even impact relationships in later life and work performance for adults. In addition, there are different types of ADHD with specific presentations. Your provider can work with you to determine if you have ADHD and assist in developing a treatment plan to help you reduce ADHD symptoms. At Ally Psychiatry, medication management and evaluation services are available for the assessment and treatment of ADHD symptoms.
Some people with ADHD might have difficulty sitting still, and others may display a combination of different symptoms.
While all people may struggle with paying attention to things, they find disinteresting from time to time, those with ADHD may face consistent challenges with maintaining attention and could be quick to follow through on impulses or become easily distracted.
A person with ADHD experiences impulsivity and distraction beyond a level that would be typical for a person’s age.
There are three different specifiers a doctor will add to an ADHD diagnosis to identify its characteristics, including predominantly inattentive ADHD, predominantly hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, and combined ADHD.
Doctors divide the presentation of ADHD into three categories: inattentive, predominantly hyperactive/impulsive, and combined presentation. Each is described in more detail below.
These do not qualify as different diagnoses. They simply provide additional information on a particular presentation of ADHD to assist the practitioner in managing its effects.
Inattentive
A person with inattentive ADHD is more likely to demonstrate the following characteristics in a way that disrupt:
- An apparent inability to pay close attention to a task or a tendency to make careless mistakes
- Difficulties with holding focus on activities or tasks
- Giving the appearance of not listening while other people are talking
- Experiencing difficulty with time management and task organization
- Frequently losing items or accessories necessary for daily function
- Becoming distracted easily
- Forgetting to complete tasks and fulfill obligations
- An avoidance or intense dislike of tasks that require prolonged focus and thought
- Difficulties with following instructions to complete tasks
Inattentive
This specifier means that an individual shows more signs of hyperactivity than inattention, including:
- An apparent inability to pay close attention to a task or a tendency to make careless mistakes
- Difficulties with holding focus on activities or tasks
- Giving the appearance of not listening while other people are talking
- Experiencing difficulty with time management and task organization
- Frequently losing items or accessories necessary for daily function
- Becoming distracted easily
- Forgetting to complete tasks and fulfill obligations
- An avoidance or intense dislike of tasks that require prolonged focus and thought
- Difficulties with following instructions to complete tasks
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