ADHD can ‘present’ differently in adults compared to children: ADHD has three main ‘symptoms’ – inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
But, as we’ve already mentioned, the behaviours that are caused by ADHD can change or emerge differently throughout a person’s life,
or as someone moves from childhood, through adolescence and into adulthood. For example, outwardly hyperactive behaviour caused by ADHD is
common in children, but tends to decrease with age. Instead, adults with ADHD can experience hyperactivity in a more internal way,
so that they’re restless and might constantly feel an urge to be busy. On the other hand, some symptoms are less obvious during
childhood and grow in intensity with age. Attention–based problems are a good example of this,
with adults being more likely to have greater issues with being distracted, with their time management and organisational skills,
and with things like self–control.
There are three different ‘types’ of ADHD: And the sort of symptoms a person experiences will depend on which
type of ADHD they have.
1.Predominantly inattentive type, where the main symptoms involve problems with attention, such as:
- failing to pay close attention to details or instructions,
- frequently making mistakes,
- misplacing things,
- not following through on instructions,
- having difficulty getting organised.
2.Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, where the main symptoms involve problems that stem from being too impulsive or hyperactive, such as:
- feeling constantly restless and fidgety,
- talking excessively,
- always going in search of more active jobs,
- driving too fast,
- experiencing temper outbursts,
- being impulsive about changing jobs.
3.Combined type, where problems with attention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity all occur at once.
ADHD has a strong genetic link: Research has identified several likely causes of ADHD, with the biggest cause thought to be a
person’ s genetics – which means that ADHD can be inherited. In fact, experts estimate that 50 per cent of children born to a
parent who has ADHD will also have the condition. It also means that when a child is diagnosed with ADHD, there’s a 40 per cent chance
that one of their parents has also got the condition, even if it’s not yet been diagnosed.
The biological basis for ADHD: it’s now generally recognised that ADHD is a behavioural disorder that occurs due
to an imbalance of important brain chemicals, an imbalance thatwhich causes people with ADHD to think and act differently.