What Is ADHD: Its Types And Signs In Toddlers, Teenagers, And Adults

Have you noticed certain behaviours in yourself or someone you know? Behaviours like being easily distracted, having trouble sitting still, or acting impulsively? These could be signs of a condition called Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In this article, we talk about ADHD, its signs in toddlers, teenagers, and adults and its types.

What Is ADHD

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurological condition mostly found in kids. It often leads to excessive activity, impulsiveness, and difficulties with paying attention. These challenges can affect children’s daily routines, their relationships with others, and their school performance. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, approximately 4-12% of children are affected by ADHD. Boys are 2 to 3 times more prone to having hyperactive or combined-type ADHD compared to girls.

Types Of ADHD

Dr Isha Soni, Senior Occupational Therapist and Head at Lexicon Rainbow Therapy & Child Development Centre, listed three main types of ADHD as follows:

• Inattentive Type: This means having trouble paying attention, staying organised, and finishing tasks. People with this type might forget things easily.
• Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: This type involves being very restless and doing things without thinking. They might act quickly and have trouble waiting their turn.
• Combined Type: This is the most common type and includes a mix of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. People with this type have trouble with attention, restlessness, and impulsive actions.

Signs Of ADHD In Toddlers

Dr Soni listed signs of ADHD in toddlers and teenagers, which include:

• Always moving around, like they have a lot of energy
• Finds it hard to stay in one place and is often fidgety
• Finds it very difficult to sit in one place and focus on a task like while reading a book or playing a puzzle
• Quickly switches from one toy to another without playing with any of them for long
• Struggles to calm down at bedtime or fall asleep

Signs Of ADHD In Teenagers

Dr Soni said, ”Untreated ADHD in early childhood often persists into adolescence and adulthood, affecting various aspects of life, such as family, school, work, and relationships.” Some of the symptoms that become apparent during adolescence include:

• Easily distracted during classes
• Struggles with self-organisation and completing chores
• Frequently misplaces items and behaves careless
• Tends to get absorbed in time-consuming tasks like projects
• Impatient and have a hard time waiting their turn
• Talks excessively
• Restless and frequently fidgets or touches things nearby
• Makes impulsive decisions
• Engages in thrill-seeking behaviours, often resulting in trouble
• Interrupts conversations without thinking beforehand

Signs Of ADHD In Adults

In adults, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can manifest with distinct symptoms compared to children. Adults experience this mental health condition differently, and its effects on their lives can be more profound. Dr Tanu Chowdhury, Clinical Psychologist, Healthcare Clinic, explained the signs of ADHD in adults as follows:

Difficulty Focusing

A prevalent symptom of ADHD in both adults and children is a persistent struggle to maintain attention on tasks or goals, resulting in:

• Frequent distractions
• Overlooking important details
• Difficulty completing tasks and projects on schedule
• Trouble listening attentively during conversations

Hyperfocus in adults

Adults with ADHD may also experience hyperfocus, which involves excessively fixating on details. This increased attention can lead to paranoia, reduced tolerance, and a tendency to become deeply engrossed in a situation for extended periods. During hyperfocus, individuals lose track of time and may overlook what’s happening around them, potentially causing misunderstandings and relationship issues.

Disorganisation 

Adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder often struggle with disorganisation, leading to absent-mindedness and forgetfulness. This affects their time management skills, causing difficulties in managing tasks at work and impacting their work-life balance, which, in turn, affects relationships. Some common issues adults with ADHD may face include:

• Procrastination
• Punctuality problems
• Leaving assignments or work incomplete

Forgetfulness

People with ADHD often forget things easily. They often lose track of their current activities, which can lead to unusual habits like doing yoga at night, eating during work, and forgetting about meetings, names, and tasks. People with ADHD may also struggle with keeping track of dates and occasionally miss events or appointments by a day or more.

Impulsive Behaviour

Impulsive actions, while not usually a big problem, can cause health issues if they harm the person or those around them. In ADHD, people often interrupt others, behave poorly in social situations, rush through tasks, and act without thinking about how it affects their surroundings. This can be a sign of ADHD symptoms and may make them more vulnerable to problems like theft.

Negative Self-Image

Adults with ADHD often struggle in various aspects of life, leading to a negative image. They may make excuses for their difficulties and experience repeated failures in work, social situations, and personal life, which can be linked to underachievement and personal problems.

[Disclaimer: This article contains information shared by a registered healthcare professional and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert for a diagnosis and treatment catered to your needs.]