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Symptoms of ADHD are categorized into those of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These categories of ADHD are the same for children and adults although they may exhibit symptoms in different ways.
Symptoms of inattention include an inability to stay focused on tasks appropriate for age, having difficulty concentrating on one thing, loosing important items, and daydreaming. Other symptoms of inattention include not making eye contact when spoken to, having difficulty with following instructions, and becoming quickly bored with a task or activity.
Symptoms of hyperactivity include excessive talking, inability to sit still even during short periods, and being constantly on the move, running, jumping, or screaming.
Symptoms of impulsivity include impatience, showing excessive emotions, and frequently interrupting others.
People with ADHD can exhibit any combination of these symptom types. Some people may be more difficult to diagnose because they primarily exhibit the symptoms of inattention, such as daydreaming and losing items, but not symptoms of hyperactivity. People may also primarily exhibit symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity or of all three symptom categories.
Children do not simply grow out of ADHD, as is often believed. Just the opposite is commonly true - the symptoms of ADHD often get worse as a child grows into adulthood....more about ADHD »
ADHD symptoms:
A diagnosis of ADHD is based partly on symptoms. It is generally accepted that children must exhibit symptoms to an extent greater than the average child of the same age for six months or more. Symptoms are categorized into those of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Symptoms of Inattention include:
Symptoms of hyperactivity include:
Symptoms of impulsivity include:
Children can exhibit any combination of these symptom types. Some children may be more difficult to diagnose because they primarily exhibit the symptoms of inattention, such as daydreaming and losing items, but not symptoms of hyperactivity. Children can also primarily exhibit symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity or of all three symptom categories....more about ADHD »
The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for ADHD includes the 38 symptoms listed below:
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The list of other diseases or medical conditions that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses for ADHD includes:
See the full list of 74 alternative diagnoses for ADHD
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More information about symptoms of ADHD and related conditions:
Click on any of the symptoms below to see a full list of other causes including diseases, medical conditions, toxins, drug interactions, or drug side effect causes of that symptom.
Medical Books Excerpts Excerpts of published medical book chapters related to ADHD are available from published medical books for more detailed information about ADHD.
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
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The principal sign of ADHD is hyperactivity that’s present over a long period, in at least two settings (such as school and home), and is accompanied by easy distractibility. The patient may be impulsive, emotionally labile, explosive, or irritable. Although he may be highly intelligent, his school or work performance patterns are sporadic. He may jump from one partly completed project, thought, or task to another. The patient may have an attention deficit without hyperactivity; if so, he’s less likely to be diagnosed and treated.
In a younger child, signs and symptoms include an inability to wait in line, remain seated, wait his turn, or concentrate on one activity until its completion. An older child or an adult may be described as impulsive and easily distracted by irrelevant thoughts, sounds, or sights. He may also be characterized as emotionally labile, inattentive, or prone to daydreaming. His disorganization becomes apparent as he has difficulty meeting deadlines and keeping track of school or work tools and materials.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Typically, the patient is characterized as someone who fidgets and daydreams. Other descriptive terms include inattentive and lazy. Although the patient may be highly intelligent, his school or work performance patterns are sporadic, and he may jump from one partly completed project, thought, or task to another. Some patients have an attention deficit without hyperactivity; they’re less likely to be diagnosed and treated.
In a younger child, signs and symptoms include an inability to wait in line, remain seated, wait his turn, or concentrate on one activity until it’s completed. An older child or an adult may be described as impulsive and easily distracted by irrelevant thoughts, sounds, or sights. He may also be characterized as emotionally labile or inattentive. His disorganization becomes apparent when he has difficulty meeting deadlines and keeping track of school or work tools and materials.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
For a more detailed analysis of ADHD as a symptom, including causes, drug side effect causes, and drug interaction causes, please see our Symptom Center information for ADHD.
These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of ADHD. This signs and symptoms information for ADHD has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of ADHD signs or ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of ADHD may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed ADHD symptoms.
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