ADD Symptoms

What are some of the most common ADD symptoms?

Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD is a disorder that more and more people are being diagnosed with. Inattentiveness and hyperactivity are the two main symptoms of ADD. It is important to note that no two people will possess the same ADD symptoms.

People who have ADHD or ADD symptoms have trouble staying organized and completing tasks. They may also have trouble sitting still for short periods of time and planning head. These symptoms are usually very easy for family and friends of the person who has ADD to pinpoint.

The only way that ADD or ADHD can be formally diagnosed is by a physician. The physician uses a checklist of symptoms that was comprised by the American Psychiatric Association. There are 14 symptoms of ADD. Patients who have eight of those symptoms will be classified as having ADD or ADHD.

Symptoms of ADD or ADHD

• Constantly fidgeting hands or feet; squirming in seat
• Experiences trouble staying seated
• Very easily distracted
• Experiences difficulty playing quietly
• Moves on to another task before completing the previous one
• Interrupts others
• Talks excessively
• Engages in risky activities without even thinking about the consequences
• Has trouble paying attention during school and other activities
• Has trouble waiting his or her turn during a group activity
• Very forgetful, neglects to do necessary tasks
• Has trouble listening
• Blurts out answers before the question is completed
• Experiences difficulty in following instructions

The ADHD or ADD symptoms can be divided into three other categories. Those categories are Classic Attention Deficit Disorder, which is characterized by inattentiveness Classic Attentive Deficit Hyperactive, which is characterized by impulsive or hyperactive behavior and the combined type, which is characterized by both inattentiveness and hyperactivity.

Symptoms of ADD: Inattentive ADD

• Has trouble paying close attention to details
• Makes simple mistakes in school, sports, work and other activities
• Has trouble staying focused on tasks in school or other activities
• Very easily distracted by sounds, sights and other outside stimuli
• Has trouble following instructions and as a result, school and work tasks are often left uncompleted
• Forgets to do everyday activities
• Loses personal items often
• Often avoids homework and other tasks that require paying attention
• Has trouble listening, even when being spoken to directly

People who have symptoms of ADD have trouble keeping their minds focused on one thing. They are easily bored and quickly move from one task to another. People with ADD may also have trouble staying organized, but they may be able to devote their attention to topics or activities that they find enjoyable. Additionally, they may also have trouble grasping new concepts because it is so hard for them to focus.

Homework is a major burden for people who have ADD symptoms. When they are in school, they may forget to write down the assignments and they may also forget to bring the books home that are needed to complete the assignments. They have trouble completing their assignments because their mind wanders every few minutes.

Symptoms of Hyperactivity/Impulsive ADD

• Cannot stay still while seated, always fidgeting hands or feet
• Climbs, runs at times when he or she is supposed to be seated
• Runs in appropriate situations
• Experiences difficulty playing quietly
• Feels as if he or she is driven by a motor or always on the go
• Talks excessively
• Experiences difficulty waiting for his or her turn
• Interrupts others at school, work or home
• Experiences feelings of restlessness

People who have ADHD feel the need to move constantly. It is nearly impossible for them to sit still. If a person with ADHD is asked to sit still, he or she may squirm, fidget and may also get up and run around. Repetitive motion is another symptom of ADHD. People with this disorder may tap their pencil or wiggle their fingers because they feel as though they have so much energy. They may also try to do several things at once or move to another task without completing the previous one.

Those who have ADHD may have trouble controlling their actions. As a result, they may run into the street without looking or say rude things without even thinking about it. They become frustrated easily and may hit another child when they are upset. People with ADHD may also have trouble waiting for their turn during games.

Combined Symptoms of ADD and ADHD

• This disorder includes a mix of inattentive and impulsive ADD. People who have inattentive and impulsive ADD will have trouble sitting still and they will also have trouble keeping their focus.

Parents should be cognizant of the fact that not every child with ADHD or ADD symptoms has Attention Deficit Disorder. Many of the add symptoms are normal childhood behaviors. All children may experience trouble sitting still sometimes. They may also blurt out inappropriate things at inappropriate times. Patients who are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD have usually had the symptoms for an extended period of time.

There are several questions that come to mind when a person has some of the symptoms of ADD. When does a behavior become excessive? How long has these behaviors been going on? Do these behaviors occur in one setting or many settings? What is considered long-term?

What are some of the factors that physicians take into consideration before coming to an ADD or ADHD diagnosis?

• The child must present some of the symptoms of ADD prior to the age of 7
• The child must have presented the symptoms at two or more settings (i.e. school and social settings)
• There is evidence that the symptoms are having a negative impact on the child in those settings
• There are several mental disorders and health conditions that have symptoms that are nearly identical to those of ADD or ADHD. For that reason, doctors have to take into account the patient’s medical history.

School is an environment that requires a person to concentrate and sit still for an extended period of time. That is why teachers are usually the first ones to notice if a student is presenting any of the symptoms of ADD. Only a physician is able to make a formal diagnosis. The ADD symptoms may seem easy to pinpoint, but it takes a medical background to make an accurate diagnosis.

Attention Deficit Disorder is not a physical condition so it cannot be diagnosed by taking X-rays or blood tests. The only way that this disorder can be diagnosed is by looking at the history of the person’s behavior. Every patient is different and the symptoms can vary greatly.

ADD is by far one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders in children. Most medical experts concur that ADD is not a disorder that a person just grows out of. Adderall and Ritalin are two of the most commonly prescribed ADD medications. Half of those medications are prescribed to children by pediatricians. Forty percent of the prescriptions for ADD or ADHD patients are written for children who are between the ages of 4 and 9.

Many medical professionals believe that ADD medications are being over prescribed. It is estimated that three to five percent of children in America have some form of ADD. That is about approximately two million children. Currently, there are six million children who are taking medication for the symptoms of ADD.

Are boys really more prone to ADD?

Researchers have stated that boys are three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Most people are not surprised by this finding because boys are naturally more energetic than girls. As a result, many boys who exhibit some of the symptoms of ADD are being diagnosed with it. This leads to two very important questions. Do some of these boys truly have ADHD or are they just full of energy? Is there really a physiological difference that makes boys more prone to Attention Deficit Disorder?

Why is ADD such a controversial disorder?

ADD is a very controversial disorder. The number of children who have been diagnosed with this disorder has increased drastically in the past few years. Many have argued that this disorder is a national epidemic while others refute that claim. Some people argue that ADD is a personality type and is not a real disorder. People who support this argument are strongly against prescribing medications to children to control their behavior.

What parents need to know

ADD is a complex issue, but most people agree that this disorder is overly diagnosed and the medications used to treat it are being overly prescribed. Today, there are many physicians that believe that parents should carefully study Attention Deficit Disorder before jumping to conclusions. Parents are also strongly encouraged to research the benefits and risks of Ritalin, Dextrine, Adderral and all of the other medications. In many cases, the risks of the medications will outweigh the benefits. Taking the time to research attention deficit disorder and the medications that are used to treat it will help parents make an informed decision about medicating their child.