Overview: ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or more commonly called ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is synonymous with several behavioral symptoms:
- Impulsiveness
- Inability to stay concentrate or focused (inattention)
- Trouble retaining information or directions
- Disorganization
- Hyperactivity or restlessness
While many associate ADHD with children between the ages of 6- to 12-years old. Adults can also display symptoms. In fact, roughly 5-percent of Americans are diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. Even though many are familiar with the term “adult ADHD”, according to research from the Mayo Clinic, patients either displays symptoms in early childhood and continues to show them as an adult, or the patient remains undiagnosed until adulthood even though ADHD symptoms were always present. According to statistics, approximately 60-percent of children with ADHD continue to show symptoms as adults.
Individuals experience ADHD very differently. Although many of the same symptoms are present, they can manifest in various ways among patients. For instance, while one ADHD patient may have trouble staying focused when experiencing exterior stimulation; other ADHD patients can seem antisocial or totally withdrawn.
Child or adult, male or female, ADHD patients often display symptoms in the same manner, however, they often struggle with similar difficulties, including:
- Mood swings
- Forgetfulness and focus issues
- Procrastination
- Issues maintaining personal relationships
- Anxiety and depression
- Prone to anger
- Chronic boredom
- Low self-esteem
- Apathy or motivation issues
- Prone to substance abuse
- Impulsive behavior
ADHD symptoms often present and intensify with transitions, such as beginning school or a new job, moving, divorce, death of a loved one, or a job loss.
