Everyone – ADHDer or not – can have difficulty focusing, sitting still, or completing a complex task. But when these problems are so pronounced and frequent that they impede one’s progress in school, career, relationships, etc., then they may be symptoms of ADHD.
Most often, ADHD symptoms first appear in early childhood, but symptoms can also be associated with brain injury later in life (although this is fairly rare). Here are the officially recognized symptoms for the three main subtypes:
Predominantly inattentive type: (ADHD-I)
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Doesn’t give enough attention to details or makes careless mistakes.
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Has a hard time sustaining attention.
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Doesn’t appear to listen.
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Struggles to follow through on instructions.
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Finds organization to be difficult.
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Avoids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort.
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Loses things.
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Is easily distracted.
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Is forgetful in daily activities.
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type: (ADHD-HI)
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Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms when seated.
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Has a tough time staying seated.
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Runs around or climbs excessively.
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Difficulty engaging in activities quietly.
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Acts as if driven by a motor.
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Speaks excessively.
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Blurts out answers before questions have been fully asked.
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Hard time waiting or taking one’s turn.
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Interrupts or intrudes on others.
Combined type: (ADHD-C)
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Person meets both sets of the above criteria.
Bottom Line: If you think you might be a sufferer, take an Adult ADHD Test for starters. But then get to a medical professional for, uh, professional medical advice.
Want to know your ADHD score?
Take the Two Minute Quiz!
Whether diagnosed yet or not, you will learn a lot from this quick ADHD quiz.
