ADHD – the 10 most important symptoms
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD for short, is a well-known and widespread behavioural disorder. The behavioural problems usually begin in infancy and can persist into adulthood. The diagnosis can be made based on the occurrence of typical symptoms. But what are the symptoms of ADHD? This series of photos will teach you which ten symptoms you can use to recognize ADHD. Note, however, that a medical diagnosis can only be made by qualified professionals.
attention deficit disorder in ADHD
As the name Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder suggests, many sufferers have an attention disorder. They find it difficult to concentrate on one thing and are easily distracted by other things.
This can be illustrated well with the example of a school child who is supposed to do homework. Instead of rushing through one task after the other, it allows itself to be constantly distracted by its surroundings. It plays with the eraser on the desk or watches the dog outside in the garden. The tasks take much longer to work, and mistakes are made due to the need for more concentration.
Hyperactivity as a symptom
This problem is already in the name of the syndrome. Affected children have a strong urge to move and can hardly sit still. A particular urge to move is normal in children, but in the case of ADHD, this exceeds the average level.
This can also be illustrated well with the example of a school child who twirls around in the chair during class or even gets up and walks around the classroom.
Adults with ADHD often feel an inner restlessness rather than a physical urge to move. In addition, hyperactivity is less pronounced in some affected people, especially adults and women. This is also known as ADD Attention Deficit Disorder.
Impulsivity: typical of the behavioural disorder
Impulsivity is another common symptom of conduct disorder. Impulsivity describes behaviour in which a person reacts spontaneously in a situation without considering any consequences. An example of this might be saying something hurtful in an argument without thinking about the repercussions it might have.
In people living with ADHD, this impulsive behaviour can also show itself outside of emotional arguments. Adults, in particular, can make spontaneous purchases, for example, where much money is thoughtlessly spent.
Aggression as a possible sign
In addition to the three most important symptoms of attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity and impulsivity, numerous other symptoms can also occur in ADHD, including aggressiveness, for example.
The impulsiveness and aggressive behaviour often go hand in hand. This can be expressed, for example, as follows: A mother forbids her son to play computer games and encourages him to study instead. The son then throws a tantrum, throws his school things across the room and can no longer be stopped.
This aggressive behaviour can even lead to criminal acts. Statistically speaking, people living with ADHD commit more crimes.
Lack of structure in ADHD
The lack of structure leads to a chaotic, disorganized lifestyle. Those affected forget essential appointments and do not finish tasks. This lack of structure is a significant hurdle, especially in adulthood. While children are looked after by parents and teachers when they are at school, adults are on their own in their professional lives.
Missed appointments, missed study submissions, and many half-finished projects: All of these could be problems for an adult who has ADHD.
poor performance as a result
Along with the lack of structure and attention deficits, those affected often experience poor performance. This can already manifest in school days with bad grades and lead to difficulties at work in adulthood.
A child who is constantly wandering in class and cannot concentrate on their homework or classwork will do worse than the other children in their class. Some children also have a reading and spelling disorder ( LRS ), which makes learning even more difficult.
Mood swings – a typical sign
Mood swings are also a common symptom of behavioural disorders. Those affected can feel happy and content one moment and be heartbroken the next.
Those affected are often “overwhelmed” by their feelings and react very emotionally. Her previously excellent mood can suddenly turn negative due to circumstances others perceive as harmless.
Lack of self-confidence: a common symptom
Because of their hyperactive, impulsive, and even aggressive behaviour, many of those affected experience rejection from their environment in kindergarten, at school or work.
It is easy to understand that a bad grade in the test or exclusion and bullying at work can weaken the self-confidence of those affected. In addition, the mood swings can lead to a highly depressed mood, which can quickly make a person with ADHD feel inferior.
Impaired relationships between children and adults
Short-tempered behaviour and possible bad grades at school can lead to a disturbed parent-child relationship. The parents are overwhelmed by their child’s behaviour, and the child, in turn, perceives this as only disappointing the parents.
However, the chaotic lifestyle of affected adults and unreliability can also endanger relationships with friends or partners. Relationship problems are, therefore, also very common in adulthood.
Comorbidities in ADHD
A large number of possible comorbidities have also been identified in people living with ADHD. These can undoubtedly be traced back to the rejection, poor performance and the associated self-doubt. For example, depression and anxiety disorders are more common, but so are sleep and obsessive-compulsive disorders and addictions.
Especially in adulthood, the clinical picture can be strongly influenced by comorbidities, which can make it much more difficult to diagnose ADHD at this age.
