ADHD Centers
30 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 814

Chicago, IL 60602

Phone: (312) 372-4824

Symptoms of ADHD

Common problems of living that may be associated with ADHD include:

  • Poor attention; excessive distractibility

  • Physical restlessness or hyperactivity

  • Excessive impulsivity

  • Difficulty getting started; chronic procrastination

  • Difficulty staying focused and completing tasks

  • Disorganized; frequently losing things

  • Poor time management; chronically late

  • Excessive forgetfulness; memory problems
     

PLEASE READ: Do not use a list of symptoms to diagnose yourself or others. Only a qualified health care professional can provide a valid and accurate diagnosis.

Clinical guidelines for diagnosis of ADHD are provided in the diagnostic manual of the American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). DSM-IV symptoms for ADHD include:

Symptoms of Inattention

  1. Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
  2. Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
  3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
  4. Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish school-work, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)
  5. Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
  6. Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that requires sustained mental effort
  7. Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
  8. Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
  9. Is often forgetful in daily activities

 Symptoms of Hyperactivity

  1. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
  2. Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
  3. Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)
  4. Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
  5. Is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”
  6. Often talks excessively
 Symptoms of Impulsivity
  1. Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
  2. Often has difficulty awaiting turn
  3. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)

Subtypes Of ADHD

The DSM-IV defines three subtypes for ADHD:
ADHD Combined Type
ADHD Predominantly Inattentive Type
ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type