Understanding the Symptoms of ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder affecting around 5% of Australians.
Although it’s frequently diagnosed in children, ADHD often persists into adulthood, impacting individuals’ daily lives across personal, educational, and professional domains.
ADHD Symptoms
ADHD symptoms can vary widely but are typically classified into three main categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Each of these categories includes specific symptoms that affect day-to-day life in unique ways.
1. Inattention
Inattention is one of the hallmark symptoms of ADHD, often marked by difficulty in sustaining attention, poor organisational skills, and forgetfulness. Specific signs of inattention include:
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Difficulty focusing on tasks: Individuals may struggle to stay engaged in activities that require prolonged mental effort, such as reading, studying, or completing projects. This is particularly noticeable in children in school settings, where sustained attention is essential
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Easily distracted: External stimuli, like sounds, movements, or even their own thoughts, can pull people with ADHD off-task. This is especially problematic in settings where they are expected to stay focused on one activity for an extended period.
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Poor organisational skills: Individuals with ADHD often have trouble keeping track of personal items, managing time, and planning effectively. This can lead to incomplete tasks and a sense of overwhelm, further impacting academic or work performance
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Forgetfulness in daily activities: Commonly, people with ADHD forget appointments, assignments, or tasks, even those that are routine. This can lead to challenges in maintaining personal and professional responsibilities, affecting productivity and relationships.
These symptoms are often misinterpreted as laziness or lack of motivation, though they stem from a genuine difficulty in sustaining attention due to neurobiological differences.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity is characterised by an unusual level of physical and mental activity. It’s more commonly observed in children but can persist into adulthood, where it may manifest differently. Common symptoms of hyperactivity include:
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Fidgeting and squirming: Individuals with ADHD may have difficulty remaining still, often seen tapping fingers, swinging legs, or shifting in their seat. This need to be in motion is sometimes mistaken for restlessness or nervousness
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Difficulty remaining seated: Children, especially, may struggle to sit through a class or meal. They may feel compelled to stand up, move around, or change activities frequently, often seen as disruptive behaviour in structured settings like classrooms.
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Excessive talking: Many people with ADHD speak more than others, often due to a need for stimulation. This can make group settings challenging as it can interrupt the flow of conversation and make it difficult for others to engage equally.
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Constant motion: Some people with ADHD have an inner sense of restlessness that drives them to engage in multiple activities or move quickly from one task to another without pausing.
In adults, hyperactivity may present as an inability to relax or a persistent feeling of being “on edge,” making it challenging to unwind or sit through long meetings. This symptom may lessen with age but often transforms into mental hyperactivity, where the mind constantly races from one thought to the next.
3. Impulsivity
Impulsivity involves acting without fully considering the consequences, which can impact decision-making, relationships, and daily functioning. Key impulsivity symptoms include:
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Interrupting others: Individuals with ADHD may struggle to wait their turn in conversations, often blurting out responses or cutting others off. This can affect social relationships and create misunderstandings.
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Difficulty waiting: People with ADHD find it challenging to delay gratification, often opting for smaller immediate rewards rather than waiting for larger benefits. This behaviour, linked to dopamine regulation, is seen in various scenarios, from financial decisions to personal interactions
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Risk-taking behaviour: Due to impulsivity, people with ADHD may engage in risky behaviours, such as making hasty decisions without fully evaluating the outcomes. This can include anything from unsafe driving habits to impulsive spending, often causing complications in personal and professional lives.
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Emotional outbursts: Some individuals with ADHD experience quick emotional reactions, often becoming frustrated or upset over minor setbacks. This is sometimes tied to difficulties with emotional regulation, which can make managing stress or disappointment more challenging.
These impulsive behaviours are closely tied to brain differences that affect reward processing, making it difficult for individuals to resist urges or to delay reactions when a thought or action comes to mind
Symptoms in Children vs. Adults
While ADHD is more widely diagnosed in children, adults can also experience symptoms that impact their quality of life. In children, ADHD is often detected when hyperactivity and impulsivity disrupt school or social environments. However, adults with ADHD may display more subtle signs, such as chronic disorganisation, difficulty meeting deadlines, or struggling to maintain attention during meetings.
ADHD is also often underdiagnosed in women and girls, who tend to show symptoms of inattention rather than hyperactivity. This can lead to a later diagnosis and missed opportunities for early intervention, which research shows can improve long-term outcomes.
The Impact of ADHD Symptoms
The symptoms of ADHD can interfere significantly with life, impacting everything from academic performance to interpersonal relationships. In Australia, the impact is substantial, with the disorder affecting about 1 in 20 people and costing the economy over $20 billion annually in lost productivity, healthcare costs, and educational support.
Early diagnosis and intervention are essential in managing ADHD, with treatments ranging from medication and behavioural therapy to lifestyle adjustments and educational support.
ADHD symptoms vary greatly among individuals, and understanding these symptoms can help reduce stigma, support effective interventions, and provide meaningful assistance to those navigating the condition.
