Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder

The symptoms of attention deficit disorder or ADD can present themselves in many ways and two people very rarely show the same symptoms of this condition. In some individuals ADD can be present as simple passivity or lack of attention while in other people it may be in the form of severe aggressive and hyperactive behavior that the person is often helpless to control.

In many cases individuals that are affected by ADD have difficulty sitting still, finishing things, making plans ahead of time and often times are not even completely aware of happenings around them. They seem to go from one thing to another in a way that seems chaotic to those around them.

Most doctors have a specific list of possible symptoms that they commonly use in order to determine if a person has ADD or its counterpart ADHD also known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Although there are approximately 14 known symptoms on this list it is generally required that a child demonstrate at least 8 of these symptoms before a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD will be considered. This is because most of these symptoms alone can generally be caused by any number of things with some even being contributed to normal childhood behavior. The list of symptoms of attention deficit disorder includes a combination of the following symptoms:

Inability to keep hands and feet still or excessive moving around while seated

• Difficulties in staying in seat
• Difficulties waiting for their turn when playing games or participating in other group activities.
• Easily distracted
• Unable to be quiet when playing
• Yelling out answers before a question has been finished
• Difficulties in following directions
• Beginning new tasks before the original task has been finished
• Unable to focus attention on one activity
• Forgetfulness
• Inability to keep quiet in general often talking in excess
• Frequently interrupting when others are speaking
• Not listening to what others are saying
• Participating in dangerous activities with thought to the possible results

Symptoms of attention deficit disorder are generally divided into three general category based on the specific behaviors of the child in question. These categories include classic attention deficit disorder also known as Inattentive Type, classic ADHD commonly referred to as Hyperactive/Impulsive Type and a combination of the two types which is called Combined Type and includes symptoms that can be categorized in both areas.

Because every illness or condition affects every person in different ways based on the severity of the condition no two children are going to exhibit the same symptoms however in many cases some of these symptoms may be similar from one child to another.

In addition to the basic list of ADD/ADHD symptoms each subtype of this condition also has many symptoms relevant to that type of ADD or ADHD. These symptoms are how doctors determine not only if a child has ADD/ADHD but which specific type of this condition that the child in question may be affected with.