Did you see where Michael Phelps — the mega-medalist at the Olymics — along with his mom, spoke to reporters in Beijing about him growing up with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
Phelps is not alone: The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) notes that ADHD affects between 3 percent and 5 percent of school children and that the parents of children with ADHD have a higher likelihood of having ADHD themselves. As many as 7 in 10 kids with ADHD will have the disorder as adults.
ADHD is not trivial. Adults and children with ADHD are more likely than their non-affected peers to fail or drop out of school, show behavior and discipline problems, have social and family and employment problems, abuse alcohol and drugs, and get involved in crime.
Anyone can occasionally display some of the symptoms of ADHD, but those with ADHD have many of them a good part of the time, which leads to problems at school, work, and other aspects of daily life.
ADHD is divided into 3 subtypes: predominantly inattentive type, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, and a type combining both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive features.
In the most recent categorization of mental disorders, the inattentive type of ADHD is determined by the frequent presence of at least 6 of the following 9 characteristics:
- Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
- Has trouble maintaining attention for sustained periods
- Does not seem to listen
- Does not follow through with instructions and fails to finish chores and assignments
- Has difficulty organizing activities
- Avoids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort
- Loses things needed for tasks and activities
- Is easily distracted
- Is forgetful in daily activities
The hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD is based upon the frequent presence of at least 6 of the following 9 features:
- Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in a chair
- Has difficulty remaining seated
- Runs about or climbs excessively
- Has difficulty playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly
- Acts as if driven by a motor
- Talks excessively
- Blurts out answers before questions have been finished
- Has trouble waiting or taking turns
- Interrupts or intrudes on others
In the combined type of ADHD, the person has a total of at least 6 of the symptoms for both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive types.
Many of these symptoms may, of course, occur in anyone at one time or another. But as was mentioned above, the diagnosis of ADHD is really meant to represent a pervasive and continual problem that significantly interferes with a person's life. The symptoms of ADHD should also not be due to some other condition, such as a developmental, anxiety, mood, personality, or psychotic disorder.
Do these descriptions sound like someone you know, or perhaps yourself? If so, many places can furnish you with detailed information. A great source is the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But don't automatically label yourself or others based on these lists: The CDC emphasizes that the diagnosis of ADHD should be made only by a trained health care provider.