ADD First of all, I am not a doctor and I don't play one on TV. I am not qualified to diagnose but I am qualified to pass on my experience and give you information. As you know from my previous post, I have been diagnosed with ADD. Since my last post, many have asked me about symptoms to look for and websites that provide good information.
If you think you or your child have several of these symptoms on a consistent basis, you should take note of them and talk to your doctor or pediatrician. If it is your child, ask their teacher, they can be a great resource.
ADHD can be divided into several categories. The three most common categories are are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Let's look at a few of the main symptoms within each category.
Inattention
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Easily distracted
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Makes careless mistakes
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Appears not to listen - will look at you but seems to be daydreaming
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Has trouble remembering
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Difficulty with following instructions that have more than 2 commands
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Problems with organization and planning
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Frequently loses or misplaces items
Hyperactivity
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Constantly fidgets and squirms
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Frequently leaves desk or chair - often not realizing it at first
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Feels the need to move around constantly - might run, jump or climb when not appropriate
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Talks Excessively
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Seems to be "on the go", like they are looking for action
Impulsivity
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Blurts out answers - in the classroom, they can't wait to be called on, or blurt out before question has been asked
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Intrudes on other peoples conversations or activities
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Often interrupts others
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Has a hard time waiting for their turn
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Difficulty controlling emotions (which they tend to have very strong emotions)
As you can see these symptoms make it difficult for a child in the classroom and can cause them to be excluded socially. As a child, it is more difficult to understand these symptoms and it can really hurt their self-esteem. Many children and adults have had great success when they began to understand their behavior, then recognize it and learn to "filter" or control it.
Check out these websites for more information:
ADDitude - www.additudemag.com
WedMd - www.webmd.com
I will continue to post occasionally on my experiences and recommendations on sites and books that our family has found helpful. Please comment below, especially if you have any recommendations on information you would like me to include.
Cammie Moise