ADHD symptoms + What exactly is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)?
What is ADHD
ADHD is the abbreviation for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Nowadays, the official term has become ADHD-C. Here, the C stands for combined, because it involves both hyperactivity and attention deficit. In popular parlance, ADHD is used for convenience. Therefore, in this article we will stick to ADHD symptoms. Further on, you can read more about the different types of ADHD.
ADHD is described in the DSM (the handbook of psychiatrists) as a disorder of the brain caused by misfiring of the neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline. Because fewer of these neurotransmitters are available, people with ADHD suffer from the well-known ADHD characteristics, such as lack of concentration, hyperactivity, forgetfulness and impulsivity. Medication is often used to try to improve the transmission of these neurotransmitters. The most well-known medication for ADHD is Methylphenidate, marketed under the brand names Ritalin, Equasym and Concerta. Later in the article, you will read more about a good natural alternative that works very well for concentration, calmness in the head and relaxation for many ADHD sufferers.
The characteristics of ADHD
The most common symptoms of ADHD are lack of concentration, impulsivity and hyperactivity. This hyperactivity expresses itself both in the head and physically. In the head, an ADHD sufferer actually experiences a continuous stream of criss-crossing thoughts. Physically, someone experiences a lot of restlessness, which can make sitting still for a long time quite a challenge.
Further typical features of ADHD are chaotic behaviour, chronic lateness and jumping from heel to heel. ADHD sufferers also often have difficulty completing tasks. They quickly get bored and bored out of something. In fact, they can start new tasks very easily but often lack the motivation to complete them. They prefer to run from one task to another, rather overlooking details and constantly losing things. Here, when there is high interest, the opposite is often true. Then an ADHD sufferer can become totally absorbed in details. This is the well-known hyperfocus. Concentration is just then extremely high where they forget everything around them. Going for hours without eating or drinking is then no exception. The advantage of this is that at those moments you can perform for 300% and do work that others can really look up to. This also makes life for ADHD sufferers quite black and white at times. Something is either totally awesome for a while or no longer interesting. It's often the familiar all-or-nothing mentality.
ADHD characteristics at a glance
Below is a comprehensive list of the most common symptoms of ADHD. It is not that you need to fully recognise yourself in all the characteristics to be diagnosed with ADHD. But if you are truly an ADHD sufferer, the list below will be a breath of fresh air of recognition for you.
Someone with ADHD...
- is very chaotic and forgetful
- constantly loses stuff
- talks through someone quickly
- Jumps from heel to heel (both in conversations and tasks)
- often talks 'too' much or is 'too' quiet
- Can listen badly (strays)
- has difficulty concentrating for long periods
- is hyperactive in movement (has difficulty sitting still)
- has difficulty finishing details or is obsessive about details
- is hyperactive in the head (busy mind with many thoughts)
- constantly has new great plans
- is impulsive in making decisions
- has very high energy or, on the contrary, is completely paralysed (no in-between)
- is always busy (as if he can't stop being busy)
- shoots from one activity to another and is busy with 10 things at once
- has difficulty with discipline
- is quickly bored of something
- loves challenges
- is chronically late
- is an adrenaline junky (looking for excitement and thrills)
- Has difficulty completing tasks (quickly demotivated)
- likes to interfere with everything and everyone around him
- puts off many things until the very last minute
- has very good concentration when interested (hyperfocus)
- Can be easily overexcited and then needs to mentally calm down
- is very impatient
- Has regular mood swings from happy to down
- can think very black and white
The above characteristics are the most common features of ADHD. Despite this, you do not have to recognise all these symptoms in yourself to be diagnosed with ADHD.
Positive characteristics of ADHD
ADHD is certainly not all negative. It also has many bright sides with which you can actually excel. See below the list of positive characteristics of ADHD.
Someone with ADHD...
- has intensely high concentration when interested (also called hyperfocus)
- often comes out of nowhere with a brilliantly sharp solution
- can become totally absorbed in something and excel at it
- brimming with new plans and good ideas
- has good insight and strong intuition
- has a special sense of humour
- is good at thinking out of the box
- often has higher than average intelligence
- seems to have 'a 6th sense'
- often has good creative sides e.g. in art, drawing or music
- is adventurous and loves challenges and thrills
- senses situations and people in a 'special' way
- is empathetic
Not all of these characteristics need apply to you, but most ADHD sufferers will certainly agree with the vast majority of them.
Types of ADHD
Click here to learn more about the different types of ADHD These days, there are actually 3 different types of ADHD as described in the DSM-5. DSM stands for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This is like the bible of psychiatry in which all psychiatric disorders are described. So now we have reached the 5th edition. The best-known form of ADHD, which is also the most common, is popularly called ADHD for convenience, but nowadays the official term is actually ADHD-C. The C here stands for Combined, meaning the combined ADHD type. Combined, because conspicuous hyperactivity is present as well as a lack of concentration and attention. If there is no conspicuous hyperactivity but an attention deficit, we colloquially call it ADD. That form of ADHD is now officially called ADHD-I. There is also ADHD-H, which only involves hyperactivity and not attention deficit. That form is also called HD. Are you still following? ;) Click here for a video explaining ADHD ... Would you rather watch a video about ADHD? The videos below will give you information about ADHD and its characteristics. The second video also discusses the difference from ADD and goes over both the difficult and positive characteristics of ADHD. If you experience a lot of symptoms from your ADHD in daily life, you might want to look into LTO3. This is a 100% natural supplement that more and more people worldwide with ADD and ADHD characteristics are using. It is commonly used by people when they experience symptoms common to ADHD such as lack of concentration, restlessness, lack of motivation and chaotic behaviour. For many children and adults, it appears LTO3 work just as well, or in some cases even better, than pharmaceutical drugs. This while LTO3 does not cause any side effects and it is also safe to use by anyone from 3 years old onwards. Many ADHD sufferers experience less fuss in the head, more relaxation, better concentration and a better mood. Want to know more about LTO3? You can visit the links below for LTO3 user experiences and further information: > Received LTO3 experiences from people with ADHD > Comprehensive LTO3 information + Answers to many questions Wondering which people are all already taking LTO3? Then take a look at the Poll - are you already taking LTO3 for ADD, ADHD or HSP? You can also cast your own vote there. For the symptoms of ADD can be found here watch. Are you missing some ADHD traits in the overview or do you have another comment on this article? Be sure to let us hear from you in the comments below....Information videos on ADHD
ADHD funny depicted
Explaining ADHD, its characteristics and how it differs from ADD
Natural alternative to medication for ADHD features
Hi! I would like to quote these features in my paper... Which writer may I note? And in which month in which year was this written?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Roos, you can do that. Just add Jochem van http://www.addkenmerken.net
I personally don't think it's right that it's called ADD, because the word disorder comes into it
and it has nothing to do with that.
Good afternoon,
My name is Michelle Storimans and I am currently setting up my own visual practice and coaching for adolescents and young adults with AD(H)D and HSP in North Brabant, alongside my current job at Juzt Jeugdzorg. I myself have also been diagnosed with AD(H)D and HSP.
I came across your site a few months ago and I am fascinated by your site and the way you write about AD(H)D and HSP. My approach is also to look at the possibilities of AD(H)D and HSP versus the impossibilities.
Is it possible I could meet with you sometime to talk about this?
Happy afternoon,
Warm regards,
Michelle Storimans
Hi Michelle, sure, you can always do that! :) You can send me a message on the facebook page.