Adults who have significant problems with inattention, but exhibit few or no symptoms of hyperactivity, are said to have the predominantly inattentive presentation of ADHD.
Hyperactivity is a hallmark symptom of ADHD, but it's not the only symptom. If your child can't sit still — but she can focus, pay attention, manage time, and organize her thoughts — then the diagnosis may not be attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
ADHD is characterised by an inability to pay attention or focus for any length of time, and as well as hyperactivity. Less known is that a child with ADHD can often not be hyperactive! This means the outward signs of ADHD may not always be present, making assessment even more of a difficulty.
You don't have to be hyperactive to have ADHD.
ADHD, also called attention-deficit disorder, is a behavior disorder, usually first diagnosed in childhood, that is characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and, in some cases, hyperactivity.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Many adults with ADHD aren't aware they have it — they just know that everyday tasks can be a challenge.
You can have ADHD and not seem hyper.
Your friend with ADHD may actually be the most mellow in the group.
Type 6: Ring of Fire ADD
Symptoms: primary ADD symptoms plus extreme moodiness, anger outbursts, oppositional, inflexibility, fast thoughts, excessive talking, and very sensitive to sounds and lights. I named it Ring of Fire after the intense ring of overactivity that I saw in the brains of affected people.
People with SCT have trouble focusing and paying attention, but they're less likely to be impulsive or hyperactive.
Studies have shown that symptoms of bipolar disorder often overlap with those of ADHD, making it hard to diagnose both of these disorders. Bipolar disorder is marked by mood swings between periods of intense emotional highs and lows.
The World Health Organization* has prepared a self-screening test you can use to determine if you might have adult ADHD. The Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener will help you recognize the signs and symptoms of adult ADHD.
A formal diagnosis of ADHD can only be made by qualified health professionals. Whilst general practitioners, and other front-line health providers may have useful information and experience in identifying ADHD symptoms, the diagnosis needs to be made by a paediatrician or a child psychiatrist.
Women with ADHD face the same feelings of being overwhelmed and exhausted as men with ADHD commonly feel. Psychological distress, feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and chronic stress are common. Often, women with ADHD feel that their lives are out of control or in chaos, and daily tasks may seem impossibly huge.
In fact, Khan emphasizes that many people with ADHD are highly empathetic.
Using caffeine for concentration
But in ADHD, dopamine levels are too low. Stimulant chemicals such as caffeine or amphetamines tend to increase dopamine levels. For most people, adding stimulants will push dopamine levels too high, causing agitation and anxiety.
Some adults with ADHD find that caffeine doesn't wake them up or make them sleepy. This group of people can drink coffee all day and still be able to fall asleep at night. They don't feel jittery or anxious, but neither do they feel 'switched on' after a caffeine beverage.
They are: Inattentive type ADHD, characterized by inattention and distractibility with no signs of hyperactive behavior; Hyperactive-Impulsive type ADHD, marked by hyperactive and impulsive behavior with no inattentive behavior, and Combination type ADHD, which displays a mix of both hyperactive-impulsive behaviors and ...
High-functioning ADHD isn't a formal diagnosis. It's a phrase used to describe people living with ADHD who see little to no major impact on daily life. Just because you've reached great success or have found ways to work around ADHD symptoms doesn't mean ADHD might not be affecting you.
People with ADHD may have trouble completing thoughts when talking or finishing magazine articles and books. Failing to pay attention to details or constantly making careless mistakes. Often having trouble organizing tasks and activities. Often avoiding tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time.