Do you have ADD? What are the signs of ADHD? Check out this ADHD symptoms list for adults and children to determine if they are hyperactive, inattentive, or both.
What causes ADHD symptoms?
ADHD is a biological brain disorder, which, according to recent research, may be genetic. Researchers believe that a gene that is involved in creating dopamine – a chemical that controls the brain’s capacity to maintain regular attention – may be linked to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD). It is also not due to bad parenting, excessive sugar, or video games.
How are ADHD symptoms diagnosed?
It can be challenging to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. ADHD is a nuanced neurological condition with three distinct subtypes inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and combined type and no one test determines whether ADHD is present in an adult or a child. Professional diagnosis is usually based on symptom tests, interviews, a detailed medical history, and evaluations of conditions commonly diagnosed with ADD, such as autism spectrum disorder, oppositional defiant disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, anxiety, and mood disorders.
What are the main symptoms of ADHD?
ADHD symptoms or ADD in children and adults include:
Attention span is short, especially when it comes to non-preferred tasks
Hyperactivity can be physical, verbal, and emotional
Impulsivity can manifest as recklessness
Fidgeting and restlessness
Disorganization, difficulty in prioritizing tasks
Time blindness and poor time management
Emotional dysregulation and frequent mood swings
Working memory and forgetfulness
Executive dysfunction and the difficulty of multitasking
Anger or frustration that you cannot control
Procrastination and difficulty completing tasks
Distractions
What are the types of ADHD?
ADHD is a neurologic condition characterized by an inattentional pattern and hyperactive impulses that affect daily functioning at least in two places, such as at school and home. Children and adults of all ages, including boys and girls, are affected. A wide range of symptoms characterizes ADHD, but symptoms vary with each subtype.
Inattentive type
Hyperactive or Impulsive Type
Combination type
ADHD symptoms in children are different from those of ADHD symptoms in adults. It is important to note that the symptoms of ADHD are universal. If you or a loved one exhibits these symptoms and they disrupt your life in many different settings, you should consult your doctor for a diagnosis.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders2, six of the following ADHD Symptoms must interfere with daily functioning in at least two settings for a diagnosis to be made.
ADHD Symptoms Checklist: Inattentive ADD
Careless or inattentive mistakes made by a student, employee, or any other person
Has trouble sustaining attention during tasks or play activities
When spoken directly, the person does not appear to be listening
Needs help with following instructions, such as not finishing schoolwork or chores or failing to complete duties at work (not due to an oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or a failure to understand instructions).
Has trouble organizing tasks and activities
When a person is unable to complete tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as homework or schoolwork, they avoid, dislike, or are reluctant to do them.
When you lose things that are necessary to complete a task or activity (e.g., toys, schoolwork, pencils or books, tools, etc.).
You are easily distracted by external stimuli
In daily life, we tend to forget things.
Take the ADD Symptoms Test for Adults or the ADD Symptoms Test for Children to get more information about inattentive ADHD symptoms.
ADHD Hyperactive and Impulsive ADHD Checklist
Squirming or fidgeting with the hands or feet
In situations where it is expected that you remain seated, such as in a classroom or other places.
Adults may only experience subjective restlessness when they run or climb excessively.
Has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
Appearance of “on the move” or acting as if “driven” by a motor
Talks excessively
Answers are blurred out before the question has been answered
Has difficulty waiting for their turn
Intrudes or interrupts others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).
For more detailed hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms in adults and children, take the Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD Symptom Test for Adults or the Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD Symptom Test for Children.
ADHD in Adults: Is it a Permanent Condition?
ADHD symptoms do not disappear as adults age. A study from 2019 found that the prevalence of ADHD in adults increased by 123% between 2007 and 2016. It also showed that ADHD diagnoses for adults grew four times faster than ADHD diagnoses for children.4 However, many adults don’t receive an ADHD diagnosis before their child is diagnosed. Adults may feel that pursuing an ADHD diagnosis is pointless if ADHD doesn’t prevent them from getting married or having children. Unmanaged ADHD symptoms may lead to job loss, relationship conflicts, and substance abuse. Understanding ADHD, its three subtypes, and how to diagnose and treat it can help adults and children get the best treatment.
Recent research5 has found that ADHD is divided into two types: attentional and emotionally-based. Researchers found that the framework provided a more clinically relevant approach for diagnosing ADHD symptoms among adults, compared to current DSM-V criteria, which are based on research done on children aged six to twelve. The researchers found that this framework was more clinically relevant for diagnosing ADHD symptoms in adults than the current DSM-V criteria, which is based on research conducted with children aged 6 to 12.
Treatment strategies for adults with ADHD also deserve further investigation. In a recent study, researchers in the Netherlands found that older adults who have ADHD saw their symptoms improve when they took a low-dose stimulant medication. These older adults well tolerated the medication and didn’t cause any clinically significant changes to their cardiovascular system.
ADHD Checklist: Next steps
Self-Test ADD Symptoms of Children
Self-Test ADD Symptoms In Adults
Self-Test ADHD symptoms in women and girls
Find a local ADHD specialist or clinic near you
Find out about your ADHD treatment options
Download: The Ultimate ADHD Medication List
ADHD symptoms explained by experts
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml
ADHD Diagnosis and Symptoms Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). American Psychiatric Association, 2013. https://www. (d(.gov/ncbddd/adhd/diagnosis.html