Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the most common behavioral disorder in the UK, affecting around 3~9% of young people, and 2% of adults.
Symptoms - Children/Teens
Inattentiveness- The main symptoms of inattentiveness are:
- a very short attention span
- being very easily distracted
- making careless mistakes, for example in schoolwork
- appearing forgetful or losing things
- being unable to stick at tasks that are tedious or time consuming
- being unable to listen to or carry out instructions
- being unable to concentrate
- constantly changing activity or task
- having difficulty organising tasks
Hyperactivity - The main symptoms of hyperactivity are:
- being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
- constantly fidgeting
- being unable to settle to tasks
- excessive physical movement
- excessive talking
Impulsiveness - The main symptoms of impulsiveness are:
- being unable to wait for a turn
- acting without thinking
- interrupting conversations
- breaking any set rules
- little or no sense of danger
Symptoms - Adults
- carelessness and lack of attention to detail
- continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones
- poor organisational skills
- inability to focus or prioritise
- continually losing or misplacing things
- forgetfulness
- restlessness and edginess
- difficulty keeping quiet and speaking out of turn
- blurting responses, and poor social timing when talking to others
- often interrupting others
- mood swings
- irritability and a quick temper
- inability to deal with stress
- extreme impatience
- taking risks in activities, often with little or no regard for personal safety or the safety of others
As with ADHD in children and teenagers, ADHD in adults can appear alongside many related problems or conditions. One of the most common conditions is depression. Other conditions that adults may have alongside ADHD include:
- personality disorders
- bipolar disorder, a condition that affects your moods, which can swing from one extreme to another
- obsessive-compulsive disorder, a condition that causes obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviour, such as cleaning constantly
Treatment
- Methylphenidate - stimulates a part of the brain that changes mental and behavioral reactions
- Dexamfetamine - psycho/CNS stimulant
- Atomoxetine - selective nor-adrenaline uptake inhibitor
- Psychotherapy
- Behaviour therapy
- Social skills training
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
