ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

What Does ADHD Feel like?

  • Near constant flow of thoughts for some

  • Like a perpetual daydream for others

  • Frequently Stressed

  • Overwhelmed

  • Confusing

  • Uncontrollable?

  • Inconsistent

  • Easily Distractible

  • Difficult to Maintain Attention, even when you want (or need!) to

  • Overly focused

  • Your Emotions may feel too big or too small

  • You may feel like you are disappointing everyone

  • You may feel like you have to change who you are to be accepted

  • & More!

What Does ADHD Look like?

Highly variable!

(It may look like any of the following):

  • High Energy

  • Low Energy

  • Constantly Talking

  • Frequently Quiet (but may be talkative when around close friends)

  • Endless Creativity

  • Emotionally Intense

  • Confrontational

  • Overwhelmed

  • Overly confident

  • Lacking in Self-confidence

  • Lazy/Procrastinating tendencies

  • Low motivation

  • Lacking follow through

  • Hates being bored

  • Can appear stuck without clear reason

So What IS ADHD, exactly?

Clinically, a diagnosis of ADHD falls into one of three BROAD categories (presentations)

  • Predominately Inattentive Presentation

  • Predominately Hyperactive/Impulsive Presentation

  • Combined Presentation

For a diagnosis in childhood, each of the first two presentations requires 6 or more corresponding symptoms, with the combined presentation requiring at least 6 symptoms from the inattentive side and at least 6 from the hyperactive/impulsive side (12 total).

Similarly, for a diagnosis in adulthood, 5 or more symptoms are required for the first two, while a total of at least 10 are needed for the combined presentation. An adulthood diagnosis also requires that these symptoms were present in some form in childhood.

What’s the best way to determine if you have ADHD?

You could look over the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for these symptoms using your preferred search engine, or you can schedule an appointment to talk with an ADHD specialist who can help determine if this diagnosis makes sense for you!