The key signs and symptoms of ADHD cover two main areas of difficulty: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, although in adults, hyperactivity and impulsivity may be less obvious.
Inattention
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty staying focused
- Forgetfulness
- Trouble organising tasks and activities
- Tendency to lose things.
Hyperactivity/ Impulsivity
- Fidgeting and restlessness
- Difficulty sitting for long periods of time
- Difficulty engaging in quiet activities
- Difficulty waiting for a turn
- Acting or speaking before thinking things through.
For a person to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must currently have several symptoms which must have started before the age of 12, and difficulties must be present in two or more settings (such as at home and at work).
Symptoms that arise later in life are unlikely to be ADHD and should be assessed immediately.
There are three types of ADHD, depending on the main difficulties the person is experiencing. These are:
Predominantly inattentive: The person mostly has symptoms of inattention, rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive: The person mostly has symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, rather than inattention.
Combined: The person has symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.