Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common referral concern among individuals seeking a psychological evaluation or therapy services. Before deciding if an evaluation is warranted, it is helpful to understand the signs and symptoms of ADHD, which include attentional and executive functioning difficulties. These symptoms present differently across the lifespan and between males and females.
Children with attentional difficulties have a hard time following multi-step directions, listening to instructions, noticing details in assignments or tasks, and often make what appear to be careless mistakes. They can be easily distracted by things in their environment, such as sounds or activity occurring nearby. They can even become distracted by their own thoughts. They may start tasks without finishing them even when they seem excited to do them. They might have a messy room, backpack, desk, or locker and misplace their belongings/assignments. It can also be hard for them to plan how to complete a task and organize their schedule.
The behavior of children who are hyperactive and impulsive might look different from those who are inattentive. These kids fidget, struggle to sit still, and move around a space more often than their peers. They might have difficulty with emotional regulation and can be quick to anger or become overly excited. It is common for highly impulsive kids to interrupt others, blurt out answers without raising their hands, or finish other people’s sentences. Waiting their turn in games may be a challenge for them. It might seem as if they never run out of energy and need to constantly be entertained in some way. If any of the symptoms listed above sound like concerns you have for your child, an evaluation or therapy services could be helpful.
Adults experience all the same symptoms as children, but they might impact life differently. If an adult has difficulty staying focused on tasks, is often forgetful of plans they made or where they placed their belongings, is messy and/or disorganized, they might have ADHD. Avoiding tasks that take a lot of effort is also a common sign of ADHD in adults. Engaging in risky behaviors, impulsively blurting things out, interrupting others, difficulty with multitasking, and/or procrastination are also common symptoms. It’s important to note that many of the symptoms listed above are common, in moderation, for everyone to experience. One way to know if your symptoms are more impactful than what is typical is to notice if these symptoms impair your social, academic, or occupational responsibilities and relationships.
Male and female presentations of ADHD can differ as well. Men tend to be over diagnosed with hyperactivity and impulsivity at young ages. Women tend to be under diagnosed because they present with inattentive symptoms, which are often overlooked in academic or work settings because they have less impact on others in their environment. Differences in how these symptoms present are another reason to seek a comprehensive psychological evaluation. If you feel like you, or your child, may be experiencing symptoms of ADHD, reach out to us to learn more about our evaluation and therapy services.