ADHD Treatment

Inattentive type ADHD – six (or five for people over 17 years) of the following symptoms occur frequently:

• Doesn’t pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in school or job tasks.
• Has problems staying focused on tasks or activities, such as during lectures, conversations, or long reading.
• Does not seem to listen when spoken to (i.e., seems to be elsewhere).
• Does not follow through on instructions and doesn’t complete schoolwork, chores, or job duties (may start tasks but quickly loses focus).
• Has problems organizing tasks and work (for instance, does not manage time well; has messy, disorganized work; misses deadlines).
• Forgets daily tasks, such as doing chores and running errands. Older teens and adults may forget to return phone calls, pay bills, and keep appointments.
• Avoids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as preparing reports and completing forms.
• Often loses things needed for tasks or daily life, such as school papers, books, keys, wallet, cell phone, and eyeglasses.
• Is easily distracted.

Hyperactive/Impulsive type ADHD – six (or five for people over 17 years) of the following symptoms occur frequently:

• Fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.
• Not able to stay seated (in classroom, workplace).
• Runs about or climbs where it is inappropriate.
• Unable to play or do leisure activities quietly.
• Always ‘on the go,’ as if driven by a motor.
• Talks too much.
• Blurts out an answer before a question has been finished (for instance, may finish people’s sentences, can’t wait to speak in conversations).
• Has difficulty waiting his or her turn, such as while waiting in line.
• Interrupts or intrudes on others (for instance, cuts into conversations, games, or activities, or starts using other people’s things without permission). Older teens and adults may take over what others are doing.

While there are different cases of ADHD, there is no lab test to diagnose the condition. A proper diagnosis depends on gathering information from various people, completing checklists, or other medical evaluations. Currently, it’s not known what exactly causes ADHD, but it is believed that genetics (inborn traits passed down from generation to generation) may have an impact.