What is ADHD and what are the symptoms?
ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood before the age of 12. A child with ADHD has difficulty with remaining attentive and controlling hyperactivity, compared to peers of the same age level. ADHD interferes with a child’s school performance and social development. To be diagnosed with ADHD, a child must have shown as least 6 symptoms for a time period of at least 6 months in two separate settings (i.e. school and home.) Those who have ADHD can have symptoms that mostly involve attentiveness, hyperactivity-impulsivity, or both.
Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- inattention to detail
- difficulty focusing on tasks/activities
- getting easily distracted from a task
- failure to follow through on instructions
- difficulty organizing tasks/activities
- forgetfulness
- restlessness
- excessive talking
- interrupting others in conversations
For example, in a school setting, a child with ADHD may have issues with:
- not finishing in-class assignments
- being easily distracted by peers or other classroom stimuli
- being fidgety & leaving his/her seat when inappropriate
- forgetting to complete homework
- not following detailed instructions
How is ADHD treated?
An integrated treatment course usually is followed. Medication can immediately help to relieve some of the symptoms, and in conjunction with psychotherapy, which will help teach important life skills, can provide long term results for those living with ADHD.
Search UB Therapists who specialize in counseling for ADD/ADHD. Discover more ADHD resources in UB’s Wellness Directory.
Martin, B. (2007). Treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD). Psych Central. Retrieved on January 8, 2015, fromhttp://psychcentral.com/lib/
Psych Central. (2014). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms. Psych Central. Retrieved on January 8, 2015, fromhttp://psychcentral.com/