ADHD in the 21st century
Hello to all the readers of this tremendous blog. If you’re a parent, child, aunt, uncle, or grandparent,(basically if you’re a person) you probably know someone with ADHD. According to the APA (American Psychiatric Association), 5% of children in the U.S have ADHD. While that number may sound high to you, the CDC (Center For Disease Control) has that number as high as 11%. Now there are many misconceptions about ADHD. First off these people are not dumb, on the contrary, many people with ADHD can have very high IQ’s. This can make the diagnosis even more frustrating because they know they are smart, but struggle to do seemingly mundane everyday tasks. Another misconception is that you can outgrow it. This is totally false as over 50% of the people diagnosed with ADHD as children go on to have symptoms into adulthood. Some of you might be thinking, what about ADD that’s a term I have heard before. Well, the truth is there is no ADHD or ADD, or ADHD vs ADD because ADD isn’t recognized by the DSM-IV anymore. Now how do you recognize if you or someone you know actually have ADHD? Here is a chart using the DSM-IV criteria:
Inattention: Six or more symptoms of inattention for children up to age 16, or five or more for adolescents 17 and older and adults; symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months, and they are inappropriate for developmental level: Children up to 16=6 symptoms 17 and up=5 symptoms
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 organizing 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).
Often easily distracted Often forgetful in daily activities.
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity:Six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity for children up to age 16, or five or more for adolescents 17 and older and adults; symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for the person’s developmental level: Children up to 16=6 symptoms 17 and up=5 symptoms
Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.
Often leaves the seat in situations where 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 answers before a question has been completed. Often has trouble waiting his/her turn. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)
Combined Presentation: if enough symptoms of both criteria inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity were present for the past 6 months.
Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: if enough symptoms of inattention, but not hyperactivity-impulsivity, were present for the past six months.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: if enough symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, but not inattention, were present for the past six months.
Obviously, these symptoms have to be developmentally inappropriate to be considered to be a problem. Having a bunch of 2-3 year old’s wandering all over the place interrupting each other and being unable to focus is totally normal. Needing to wander around, blurting out answers in class, and not being able to focus as a 7th grader, not so much.
Also important to note, ADHD can look very different in girls than in boys(yes there is a difference!). Typically, girls fall into the inattentive category, and boys fall into the hyperactive category, although that’s certainly not a hard and fast rule. Because of this difference though, girls with ADHD often fly under the radar from detection and are often not properly diagnosed and given appropriate intervention. Other clues that are pretty easy to spot that aren’t necessarily in the DSM:
Difficulty regulating their emotions (i.e. has big meltdowns not typical for their age group)
Difficulty understanding the passage of time (i.e. they are always late or they vastly underestimate how much time they actually have to do something)
Difficulty filtering out extraneous sensory input (i.e. instead of listening to the teacher, they keep hearing the clock ticking)
Difficulty reading social cues (usually from lack of attention).
This is part 1 of our blog on ADHD, if you think you might have ADHD, some other physiological issue, or just to give your 2 cents, please feel free to comment or visit us on our website at amandarussolpc.com