The most common symptoms of Attention
Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
are distractibility, hyperactivity and impulsivity. In order
to be diagnosed with this disorder an adult must have displayed
these three traits since the age of seven. A child must
experience the symptoms of attention deficit disorder for at
least six months before a physician will confirm a diagnosis.
Physiological symptoms of Attention disorder are loss of
coordination and motor control. Individuals with ADD or ADHD
may be awkward or clumsy, have many accidents, break things
and suffer from frequent falls. Many also experience difficulty
do with visual depth perception and balance.
The inability to pay close attention to details is a distractibility
symptom of attention deficit disorder. ADD or ADHD sufferers constantly
lose things, appear careless and don't seem as if they are
listening to you when you talk them.
Few of them seem to have a very strong grasp of what a schedule
is and even though carefully and repeatedly instructed, they
often forget what they are supposed to be doing in the next
five minutes.
Feelings of restlessness and malcontent characterize the
impulsivity component of attention deficit disorder. These
individuals appear as manic, impatient, pushy and rude. They
abhor waiting in line and will often miss performing crucial
tasks as a result.
They are well known for blurting out inappropriate remarks
at the wrong time or reacting to situations with temper tantrums.
They often interrupt other when they are speaking. This is
not so much because they want to be rude, but more because
they are so excited by their thought that they can't wait their
turn to express what they want to say
Adults who suffer from a predominance of impulsivity may
also develop what is called Oppositional Defiance Disorder.
They resent authority and consider themselves to be loners,
rebels and saviors.
These adults always play Devil's Advocate in any situation.
They like to debate and take conversations to a difficult,
irrational extreme. Psychologists say this defiance is an angry
reaction to being constantly disciplined and criticized for
their behavior in life.
Anxiety is also a state or a trait that is displayed by people
with ADD or ADHD. They may appear impulsive as they become more and
more neurotic and need to escape situations that may be triggered
by upsetting visual stimuli and "trigger" words.
This might include such frequently made comments such as "Why
do you always let us down?" and "Why don't you listen?"
Individuals with ADD or ADHD are constantly doodling, fidgeting,
picking at things, drumming their fingers, jerking their legs
and tapping their feet. Some sufferers talk incessantly without
giving the other person room to get a word in edge-wise. This
is a hyperactive symptom of attention deficit disorder.
Keep in mind that the exact nature and severity of attention
deficit disorder symptoms varies from person to person. Approximately
one-third of people who display the impulsivity and distractability
symptoms of ADD or ADHD does not have the hyperactive component. Those
who have the hyperactive component are diagnosed with attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder. Consult a physician immediately
if you feel that you or a loved one has been consistently displaying
the symptoms of attention hyperactivity disorder for more than
six months.
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