“While adhd is considered a disorder, and it can certainly make life difficult sometimes, most of my greatest strengths are a result of it.”
~ Erika Poupart
What is ADHD?
Adhd, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a mental health disorder that can cause a multitude of persistent issues, such as inability to pay attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Adhd is divided into three presentations, inattentive, hyperactive, or combined, and can present differently in girls and boys and throughout different life stages.
According to Additude, adhd is a complex brain disorder that impacts approximately 11% of children and almost 5% of adults in the u.s. Adhd is a developmental impairment of the brain’s executive functions. People with adhd have trouble with impulse-control, focusing, and organisation.
Neuroscience, brain imaging, and clinical research tell us a few important things: adhd is not a behavior disorder. Adhd is not a mental illness. Adhd is not a specific learning disability. Adhd is, instead, a developmental impairment of the brain’s self-management system. Both adults and children can be diagnosed with adhd.¹
How to Explain ADHD
People with adhd are in the best position to explain what it’s like having adhd. We love this video by how to adhd!
The ADHD Presentations
Previously, adhd was categorized in 3 subtypes. However it’s now been determined that people often move from one subtype to another, depending on their life-stage. In addition to that, the subtypes relied heavily on overt behavioral symptoms, and ignored non-behavioural symptoms.
The Symptoms of ADHD – Primarily Inattentive Type
- Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities.
- Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities.
- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
- Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., loses focus, side-tracked).
- Often has trouble organising tasks and activities.
- Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
- Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g. School materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
- Is often easily distracted.
- Is often forgetful in daily activities.
The Symptoms of ADHD – Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
- Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.
- Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected.
- Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may be limited to feeling restless).
- Often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly.
- Is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”.
- Often talks excessively
- Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed.
- Often has trouble waiting their turn.
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).
The following diagnostic conditions must also be met:
- Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were present before age 12 years.
- Several symptoms are present in two or more settings, (such as at home, school or work; with friends or relatives; in other activities).
- There is clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with, or reduce the quality of, social, school, or work functioning.
- The symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder (such as a mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, or a personality disorder). The symptoms do not happen only during the course of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder.²