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What is ADHD?


According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) , There are 3 types of ADHD - Inattentive, Hyperactivity, and combined. For Inattentive & Hyperactive there are 9 symptoms each. An adult must have at least 5 of either or both to be officially diagnosed as having ADHD. Those symptoms must be present in more than 1 environment (work, school, home, social atmosphere) for 6 months and affect every day life. The listed symptoms are:
Inattentive
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Often overlooks or misses details, work is inaccurate
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Often has difficulty sustaining attention (ex. in tasks, during lectures, conversations, or lengthy reading).
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Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly, mind seems elsewhere
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Often starts tasks but quickly loses focus and is easily sidetracked, does not follow through and fails to finish
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Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities, messy, poor time management, fails to meet deadlines
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Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
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Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
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Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli or unrelated thoughts
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Is often forgetful in daily activities
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Hyperactive
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Often fidgety with hands, feet or other body parts
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Often unable to sit for long periods, like a movie or meeting
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Often feels restless
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Often unable to engage in activities quietly.
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Is often “on the go,” acting as if “driven by a motor”
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Often talks excessively.
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Often blurts out answers or finishes other peoples sentences
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Often is impatient when waiting in line or driving
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Often butts into conversations, may intrude into or take over what others are doing
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There are newly defined symptoms that are associated but not exclusive to ADHD. Some are:
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Executive Function disorders
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Rejection sensitivity
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Emotional dysregulation (highly reactive to happy or sad situations)
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There is no standardized test to diagnose ADHD but there is a self-assessment tool that identifies if you should seek an official diagnosis.
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It is not safe to self-diagnose. Sometimes what appears to be an ADHD symptom can be attributed to another or more than one condition. Always seek a mental health professional for an official diagnosis.
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