ADHD Symptoms

How can you tell if it’s ADHD?

Think you or your child may have ADHD but aren’t sure? It can be difficult to tell the difference between symptoms from ADHD and those from other conditions. People with learning disabilities, seizures, anxiety, and depression can seem like they have ADHD. Furthermore, not everyone has the same symptoms.

Start with an expert. Consult a doctor if you suspect that you or your child may have ADHD. There is not a test for the disorder, so doctors have to make a decision based on a number of different factors.

When checking for ADHD, a doctor will interview the patient and also perform a physical exam. The patient’s medical history will be reviewed. The patient may also be asked to take written ADHD tests. These results are then pooled and examined as a whole.

There are three different types of ADHD. They are:

• Inattentive
• Hyperactive-Impulsive
• Combined

If you have ADHD, you most likely fall into one of these categories.

People with Inattentive ADHD make careless mistakes and exhibit poor attention to detail. They can be easily distracted and are unable to pay attention to one thing for a long time. They often misplace or forget important things. They avoid long, involved projects. Listening is not one of their skills. Neither is the ability to complete tasks or follow instructions.

Those who have Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD have a hard time sitting still and don’t stay seated when they are supposed to. They talk a lot when they shouldn’t, and often interrupt other people mid-sentence. They feel restless and jumpy. People with Combined ADHD have some signs from both categories.

There’s no substitute for knowing. If you think you or your child may have ADHD, make an appointment to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will discuss your symptoms, walk you through the process, and help you create a treatment plan to handle the disorder.