The main symptoms of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness, but they can look quite different in a child versus an adult. Here are some examples.
Hyperactivity
Children
- In constant motion
- Run and climb excessively
- Constantly fidget or squirm
- Get up, drop pencils, cause classroom distractions
- Can’t sit still
- Talk excessively
Adults
- In constant motion, tapping feet, doodling, fidgeting
- Easily bored
- Move from job to job
- Leave projects uncompleted
- Restless
- Have trouble sitting still
- Like active, risky, fast paced activities and jobs
Inattention
Children
- Easily distracted
- Make careless mistakes in schoolwork
- Don’t pay attention to details
- Short attention span for age
- Avoid homework or schoolwork
- Seem to not listen when spoken to
- Don’t complete projects or chores
- Move from activity to activity
- Disorganized
- Lose things, forgetful
Adults
- Lose or misplace items (e.g., keys, phone numbers, important papers)
- Forgetful about routine tasks (e.g., picking up the kids)
- Leave tasks uncompleted
- Easily distracted, move from task to task
- Difficulty following conversations
- Lack self-motivation
- Lose track of time, poor time management
- Disorganized, problems prioritizing
- Lack of focus
- Difficulty multitasking
Impulsiveness
Children
- Appear rude or have behavioral problems
- Blurt out comments in conversations or in school
- Have problems waiting their turn
- Interrupt others, jump into games other kids are playing
- Act without thinking about risk (e.g., jumping from the top of a slide or running into the street)
Adults
- Spend money impulsively, wreaking havoc on household budgets
- Drive fast, gamble, or have risky sex
- Interrupt others in conversation
- Blurt out offensive or hurtful comments without thinking
- Low frustration tolerance
- Frequent mood swings
- Hot temper
- Trouble coping with stress
- Unemployment
- Financial problems
- Trouble with the law
- Alcohol or other substance misuse
