ADHD

I’m going to tell you something about ADHD
ADHD means Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is not like a broken arm, or strep throat. Unlike these two disorders, ADHD does not have clear physical signs that can be seen in an x-ray or a lab test. ADHD can only be identified by looking for certain characteristic behaviors. These behaviors vary from person to person.

At present, ADHD is a diagnosis applied to children and adults who consistently display certain characteristic behaviors over a period of time. The most common behaviors fall into three categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Inattention. People who are inattentive have a hard time keeping their mind on any one thing and may get bored with a task after only a few minutes. They may give automatic attention to activities and things they enjoy. But completing a task or learning something new is very difficult.

Hyperactivity. People who are hyperactive always seem to be in motion. They can't sit still. They may dash around or talk incessantly. Sitting still through a lesson can be an impossible task. Hyperactive children might wiggle their feet, touch everything, or noisily tap their pencil. Hyperactive teens and adults may feel restless. They may try to do several things at once.

Impulsivity. People who are impulsive don’t think before they act. As a result, they may blurt out inappropriate comments. Or they may run into the street without looking. Their impulsivity may make it hard for them to wait for things they want, or to take their turn in games. They may grab a toy from another child or hit when they're upset.

Because everyone shows inattentive, hyperactive or impulsive behaviors at times, there are very specific guidelines for determining when they indicate ADHD. The behaviors must appear early in life, before age 7, and continue for at least 6 months. Above all, the behaviors must create a real handicap in at least two areas of a person's life, such as school, home, work, or social settings. So someone whose work or friendships are not impaired by these behaviors would not be diagnosed with ADHD. Nor would a child who seems overly active at school but functions well elsewhere.