Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition that affects the brain’s development, particularly in areas that control attention, impulses, and behavior. While it is generally identified in childhood, affecting approximately 8.4% of children, around 2.5% of adults have ADHD.1
If someone suspects that they may have ADHD, going through the following checklist of ADHD symptoms can be helpful. We also provide some next steps, such as finding a healthcare provider, getting assessed, and receiving a formal diagnosis.
If there is concern that one’s lifelong struggles with focusing, paying attention, trying to sit still, or waiting their turn patiently may be caused by ADHD, it’s important to see a healthcare provider for screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD
People with ADHD may recognize certain symptoms in themselves. ADHD symptoms generally fall into one of two categories:
- Symptoms of inattention
- Symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity
Inattention Symptoms
Symptoms of inattention that someone with ADHD may experience include difficulty with:2
- Concentrating on work assignments, chores, or other tasks and activities
- Paying close attention to detail, which can result in careless mistakes
- Listening carefully and following instructions
- Seeing tasks to completion
- Managing their time and staying organized
- Performing tasks that require sustained attention
- Avoiding distractions and staying focused
- Keeping track of items such as their wallet, keys, or mobile phone
- Remembering to keep appointments, return calls, or pay bills on time
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity Symptoms
These are the symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity that may also be experienced:2
- Having difficulty sitting still for extended periods and frequently feeling restless
- Tapping of the hands or feet, fidgeting, or squirming in one’s seat
- Having difficulty participating in leisure activities quietly
- Talking excessively
- Responding to questions before they’ve been asked completely
- Having trouble waiting in line or waiting one’s turn
- Interrupting others or intruding on their conversations or activities
Given that ADHD is a developmental condition, it often starts in childhood and can persist into adulthood.3 Looking back, we may realize that we’ve had many of these symptoms since we were young. They may have become more or less pronounced with time but may have been present all the same.
Finding an ADHD Healthcare Expert
If these symptoms seem familiar, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. A mental healthcare provider such as a psychologist or psychiatrist can assess our mental health and determine whether or not we have ADHD.
Symptoms of ADHD can resemble symptoms of other mental health conditions, so it’s important to seek a diagnosis from a qualified professional.4 Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward receiving effective treatment. It may also be helpful to see a practitioner who specializes in ADHD as they may better understand the condition.5
To find a healthcare provider who specializes in ADHD:
- Ask a friend or family member for a reference. If we know someone who is currently undergoing treatment for ADHD, it can be helpful to ask them who their healthcare provider is.
- Contact a primary care provider for a referral. Depending on a person’s insurance plan, they may need to contact their primary care physician and ask them for a referral to a mental health expert within the insurance provider’s network who specializes in ADHD.
- Check national or state directories. The American Psychological Association offers an online directory to help locate mental healthcare experts by specialty and location. Individual states may also have a directory of local practitioners.
- Approach local institutions. Contact a local hospital, university medical department, or mental health institution and ask whether they have practitioners who have experience with ADHD.
- Reach out to an ADHD support group. If there’s an ADHD support group in the area, they may be able to offer advice, recommendations, or a referral.
Testing for ADHD
Once we’ve located a healthcare provider and made an appointment with them, they will likely perform an evaluation to identify whether ADHD exists. Testing for ADHD may include:
- An assessment of one’s symptoms and the difficulties they’re facing as a result. A healthcare provider may ask them to fill out a questionnaire detailing their symptoms and their severity.
- A thorough personal and family medical history.
- Any blood work, imaging scans, or psychological tests that may be required to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other medical conditions.
Criteria for ADHD Diagnosis
Based on their evaluation, a healthcare provider will determine whether one’s symptoms match the criteria listed for ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). The American Psychiatric Association publishes this manual to help healthcare providers identify, diagnose, and treat conditions such as ADHD.
Diagnostic criteria listed for ADHD in the DSM-5 include:4
- Being below the age of 17 and having at least six symptoms of inattention, or above the age of 17 and having at least five symptoms of inattention.
- Being below the age of 17 and having at least six symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention, or above the age of 17 and having at least five symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention.
- Experiencing these symptoms for over six months.
- Having several of these symptoms before the age of 12.
- Experiencing symptoms in two or more settings, such as at home, work, school, or in social settings with friends or family, or while doing other activities.
- Experiencing significant difficulties in one’s personal life, social life, or work as a result of the symptoms.
- Symptoms are not better explained by another mental health condition, such as an anxiety disorder, mood disorder, personality disorder, or dissociative disorder.
Types of ADHD
Depending on the symptoms that exist, a healthcare provider will determine whether ADHD exists and, if so, which type. There are three types of ADHD:
- Predominantly inattentive type: There are enough symptoms of inattention over the last six months to meet the diagnostic criteria, but not enough symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity.
- Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type: There are enough symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity over the last six months to meet the diagnostic criteria, but not enough symptoms of impulsivity.
- Combined type: There are enough symptoms of inattention as well as hyperactivity and impulsivity over the last six months to meet the diagnostic criteria.
Next Steps for ADHD Treatment
If a healthcare provider determines that we do indeed have ADHD, they will chart out a course of treatment that can help reduce our symptoms and make it easier for us to function on a day-to-day basis. Treatment for ADHD can include a combination of medication, therapy, or coaching, depending on our individual needs and condition.