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ADHD is a disability, but it is mainly a disability due to the neurotypical-centered society that we live in. Rather than encouraging people with ADHD to hide their traits, support looks like creating environments where their needs are met without having to hide ormask.
This article discusses the common traits of ADHD and some less common ones people might experience. It also explores potential complications and when you should seek help from a professional.
Stimming in ADHD
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Signs & Symptoms
TheDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)is the official diagnostic guide for mental health professionals used in the United States. It identifies nine symptoms of inattention and nine symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Types of ADHD
There are three different presentations for ADHD:
Symptoms of Inattention
Children and adults who are inattentive have difficulty staying focused and attending to tasks that they perceive as mundane. Tasks are more likely to be seen as mundane when they do not provide the ADHD brain with enough dopamine. Some common examples of these include cleaning bedrooms, doing homework, or sitting at the dinner table. Because of this, they mayprocrastinatedoing work that requires a great deal of mental energy.
Symptoms of Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
Hyperactivity is the symptom most people think of when they hear the term “ADHD.” Children and adults who are hyperactive have very high activity levels, which may present as physical, verbal and/or internal monologueoveractivity. Traits of hyperactivity and impulsivity include:
RecapCommon traits of ADHD include those related to inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. How these traits present determines which type of ADHD a person might have.
Recap
Common traits of ADHD include those related to inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. How these traits present determines which type of ADHD a person might have.
Other ADHD Symptoms
In addition to the diagnostic criteria, there are additional common ADHD experiences. While these are not taken into account during the diagnostic process, they frequently affect the quality of people’s lives. For example, people with ADHD are often accused of not trying or not appearing to care, which can be hurtful and untrue. They may also experience:
When people with ADHD realize that these behaviors are connected with ADHD, they can experience a sense of relief. A diagnosis helps explain why they are the way they are and why they feel different from others.
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Complications & Comorbidities
As many as two-thirds of children with ADHD have one or more comorbidities, or co-occurring conditions.The most common of these are autism, anxiety, depression, and learning and language disabilities.
Adults with ADHD show an even higher incidence of comorbid disorders. These adults may also experience depression,bipolar disorder,substance use disorders, anxiety disorders, oreating disorders.
ADHD can also affect different populations in different ways. For example, traits may present differently in adulthood than during childhood. It is also notable that the presentation of traits often differ somewhat in girls and women. This is often because marginalized groups are encouraged tomaskin different and more camouflaging ways. Because of this, misdiagnosis and under-diagnosis are common in these groups.
ADHD Traits in Adults
ADHD traits typically change in adulthood. Hyperactivity becomes less visible to the observer. An adult can sit relatively still, even while feeling an internal restlessness.
Inattentive traits of ADHD usually remain consistent. However, adults typically have more control over their environment than children do. Adults can design a life that works with their ADHD subtype.
For example, many people with hyperactive ADHD are careful to choose a career that does not involve sitting at a desk for long. They might work at a hospital in a job that involves lots of walking or become a salesperson who uses their car as a traveling office. This freedom is not available to a child in school, so childhood ADHD traits tend to appear worse than adult traits.
In adults, ADHD traits can result in more diverse problems like losing a job, bankruptcy, marriage problems, and addictions.
The fifth edition of the DSM states that ADHD can be diagnosed if an adult meets the following criteria:
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ADHD in Girls and Women
Girls are more likely to have inattentive ADHD, which often can go unnoticed and undiagnosed.A hyperactive child is much easier to detect than a quiet, day-dreamy one.
If a girl has hyperactivity-impulsivity, she might be considered a “tomboy” because she is more physically active than other girls her age. She might also be very talkative and impulsively interrupt others who are speaking. Because of this, it can be challenging for her to make friends.
ADHD traits in girls are often attributed to a girl’s character. For example, a girl might be thought of as a “drama queen,” a “tomboy,” or a “chatterbox.”
One of the benefits of girls being formally diagnosed with ADHD is that the diagnosis lifts the shame and guilt they might have about their traits. It also frees them from the labels they have been given.
ADHD can also look different throughout the lifespan. The hormone changes associated with puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and menstruation can increase the severity of ADHD traits.
In the past, women living with ADHD were often misdiagnosed withanxietyordepression.Thanks to increased knowledge and research about ADHD traits, more women are being diagnosed correctly.
RecapBecause traits differ from one person to the next, they can sometimes be misunderstood, particularly among adults and women or girls.
Because traits differ from one person to the next, they can sometimes be misunderstood, particularly among adults and women or girls.
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What Causes ADHD?
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you see a doctor about traits of ADHD?
If you or your child are experiencing traits of ADHD, it is important to seek help. Traits vary from person to person, and there are differenttypes of ADHD, so it’s essential to keep that in mind when considering whether you or a loved one might have ADHD.
ADHD traits can:
A healthcare provider can help make a diagnosis, refer you to a specialist, and get started with a treatment plan. If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, they may need accommodations at school to help them succeed. Contact your child’s teacher to start this process.
Is there a test for ADHD?
What are the positive aspects of having ADHD?
While traits of ADHD can interfere with different areas of life, getting an appropriate diagnosis and treatment can help you or your child manage the neurotype. While ADHD is often thought of as a liability, there can be somepositive aspects to having ADHD, especially when it is treated appropriately.
For example, having lots of energy can help you get a lot done and achieve your goals. You may also experience a great deal of creativity and curiosity about the world. And because you know what it’s like to cope with challenges, you are probably an empathetic and trustworthy friend.
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5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yüce M, Uçar F, Say GN.Comorbid conditions in child and adolescent patients diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In: Norvilitis JM, ed.ADHD - New Directions in Diagnosis and Treatment. InTech. doi:10.5772/61112Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).Diagnosis of ADHD in adults.Rucklidge JJ.Gender differences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010;33(2):357-373. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2010.01.006Haimov-Kochman R, Berger I.Cognitive functions of regularly cycling women may differ throughout the month, depending on sex hormone status; a possible explanation to conflicting results of studies of ADHD in females.Front Hum Neurosci. 2014;8:191. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00191Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,5th ed.Biederman J, Ball SW, Monuteaux MC, Surman CB, Johnson JL, Zeitlin S.Are girls with ADHD at risk for eating disorders? Results from a controlled, five-year prospective study. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2007;28(4):302-307. doi:10.1097/dbp.0b013e3180327917
5 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yüce M, Uçar F, Say GN.Comorbid conditions in child and adolescent patients diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In: Norvilitis JM, ed.ADHD - New Directions in Diagnosis and Treatment. InTech. doi:10.5772/61112Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).Diagnosis of ADHD in adults.Rucklidge JJ.Gender differences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010;33(2):357-373. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2010.01.006Haimov-Kochman R, Berger I.Cognitive functions of regularly cycling women may differ throughout the month, depending on sex hormone status; a possible explanation to conflicting results of studies of ADHD in females.Front Hum Neurosci. 2014;8:191. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00191Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,5th ed.Biederman J, Ball SW, Monuteaux MC, Surman CB, Johnson JL, Zeitlin S.Are girls with ADHD at risk for eating disorders? Results from a controlled, five-year prospective study. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2007;28(4):302-307. doi:10.1097/dbp.0b013e3180327917
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yüce M, Uçar F, Say GN.Comorbid conditions in child and adolescent patients diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In: Norvilitis JM, ed.ADHD - New Directions in Diagnosis and Treatment. InTech. doi:10.5772/61112Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).Diagnosis of ADHD in adults.Rucklidge JJ.Gender differences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010;33(2):357-373. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2010.01.006Haimov-Kochman R, Berger I.Cognitive functions of regularly cycling women may differ throughout the month, depending on sex hormone status; a possible explanation to conflicting results of studies of ADHD in females.Front Hum Neurosci. 2014;8:191. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00191Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596
Yüce M, Uçar F, Say GN.Comorbid conditions in child and adolescent patients diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In: Norvilitis JM, ed.ADHD - New Directions in Diagnosis and Treatment. InTech. doi:10.5772/61112
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).Diagnosis of ADHD in adults.
Rucklidge JJ.Gender differences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010;33(2):357-373. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2010.01.006
Haimov-Kochman R, Berger I.Cognitive functions of regularly cycling women may differ throughout the month, depending on sex hormone status; a possible explanation to conflicting results of studies of ADHD in females.Front Hum Neurosci. 2014;8:191. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00191
Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,5th ed.Biederman J, Ball SW, Monuteaux MC, Surman CB, Johnson JL, Zeitlin S.Are girls with ADHD at risk for eating disorders? Results from a controlled, five-year prospective study. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2007;28(4):302-307. doi:10.1097/dbp.0b013e3180327917
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,5th ed.
Biederman J, Ball SW, Monuteaux MC, Surman CB, Johnson JL, Zeitlin S.Are girls with ADHD at risk for eating disorders? Results from a controlled, five-year prospective study. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2007;28(4):302-307. doi:10.1097/dbp.0b013e3180327917
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