Do I Have ADHD? Signs and Symptoms

You may have wondered, “Do I have ADHD?” If you’ve ever struggled to find your car keys, pay attention during a work meeting, or stay organized during a busy season of life, you may have asked this question. How do you know if you have ADD or ADHD? What’s the difference?

In this article, we’ll help you determine the definition of each term, the significant markers of each, and next steps to take if you think you may have attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

ADHD vs. ADD.

Before defining these terms, it’s important to know some of the history behind them. The American Psychiatric Association uses a diagnostic manual to help make determinations on all kinds of conditions – everything from ADD to depression, anxiety, and many other ailments.

In the third edition of this manual, “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,” or DSM-3 for short, the association outlined ADD as having two types: ADD with hyperactivity and ADD without hyperactivity. Originally, ADD described the symptoms of one specific type of what the current diagnostic manual labels ADHD.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts the prefrontal cortex of the brain. This part of the brain is in charge of executive function, emotional regulation, and impulse control. Executive functioning relates to tasks where working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.

If a person struggles with executive functioning, emotional regulation or impulse control, he or she may also struggle with making important decisions too quickly, managing anger in a healthful way, or following a set of directions in class.

There are three types of ADHD: inattentive (which is what used to be called ADD), impulsive and hyperactive, or combination (which means a person has some symptoms of each type). In essence, ADD is no longer a term that is used in the current diagnostic manual.

Instead, clinicians prefer the term ADHD. As you ask the question “Do I have ADHD?”, keep in mind that ADHD doesn’t always mean a person struggles with impulsivity and being hyperactive.

What are the three types of ADHD?

As we referenced earlier, the three types of ADHD have to do with their associated symptoms. The first type – inattentive – usually describes a person or a child who has trouble focusing, gets distracted easily, and forgets things in everyday life.

The second type – impulsive and hyperactive – describes a person or child who often have difficulty sitting still, frequently fidget or tap their hands or feet, and may interrupt others frequently.

The third type – combination – simply means that a person with this kind of ADHD may have a few symptoms from each of type one and two.

To find out if you have ADHD, let’s look more specifically at the symptoms associated with each.

Inattentive ADHD.

Inattentive ADHD may be missed simply on the basis of being labeled messy, disorganized, or a daydreamer. What may appear to be daydreaming could really mean you are easily distracted. And what looks like a simple need for a filing system could really mean you have an organizational system, but you struggle to use it regularly. Or you switch systems so often that they don’t work.

Some of the most common symptoms of inattentive ADHD are being easily distracted, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating on tasks. It often includes a tendency to get sidetracked easily and a tendency to put off or avoid tasks that require focused, concentrated effort and time. People who have this type of ADHD also lose things easily and have issues managing their time well.

What does inattentive ADHD look like in everyday life? A child may get up and go into the bathroom to brush his teeth. But when he turns on the water, his sister walks in and asks him a question about her water bottle.

So he walks from the bathroom to the kitchen to help her find her water bottle, leaving the water running in the bathroom. Once there, he may get sidetracked from getting ready for school because the dog runs into the kitchen and wants to play.

Twenty minutes later, the child hasn’t brushed his teeth, eaten breakfast, or gotten dressed – all requirements for getting ready for school. He has not managed his time well, has been easily sidetracked, and forgot what he was supposed to be doing. These are realities for about ten percent of children in the United States who are diagnosed with ADHD of some kind.

Impulsive and hyperactive ADHD.

This type of ADHD is the least common form. Symptoms can include interrupting conversations, talking out of turn, and acting hastily without thinking. It also includes excessive talking and struggling to sit still.

Those who have impulsive and hyperactive ADHD may struggle to engage in quiet activities, find themselves restless and in need of constant movement or tapping, and take risks unnecessarily. Other signs include fidgeting, not finishing a task before starting a new one, getting up often and losing things.

In everyday life, the child or person who has this type of ADHD may get up from his or her desk more frequently than is necessary, quickly get off task, and constantly lose keys, textbooks, or glasses – everyday items that would ordinarily be kept in the same place each day.

Combination.

The most common type of ADHD that doctors diagnose is combination. It is sometimes difficult for the casual observer or family member to tell what type of ADHD a person has. In fact, getting a diagnosis is crucial to understanding how you or your loved one is wired. Because this type signifies a variety of behaviors from the previous two lists, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider if you think you have ADHD, no matter which type.

Unfortunately, people have historically accepted a label of ADHD as meaning they are not as intelligent. This is definitely not true. Many highly-skilled, intelligent people have ADHD. Being armed with the correct diagnosis is key. Your doctor will equip you or your loved one with the right tools to help him or her with everyday tasks, learning environments, and changes as he/she grows.

How a diagnosis is made.

While there are ADHD symptom sites with self-survey questionnaires, the only true way to know if you have ADHD is to consult with your psychologist or physician. For children, the symptoms must have been visible in two different environments (at least six symptoms), such as school and home, and have persisted for six months or more.

Before a doctor can make this diagnosis, he or she will usually consult with psychologists who specialize in the field. They will look at other possible reasons for the symptoms. Those could range from mood disorders to personality disorders.

Children’s teachers will play a key role in the diagnosis. Both parents and teachers will need to complete questionnaires to help the psychologist make an accurate determination.

There is some research that suggests the symptoms may appear differently in girls only because they may not fit what teachers and parents are looking for in an ADHD diagnosis. For example, they may appear to be daydreamers, but their attention is redirected and not bothersome to those around them.

This doesn’t mean that they couldn’t have an ADHD diagnosis, but it means the symptoms will need to be taken into account with other factors.

In adults, the symptoms of ADHD are similar. But not being diagnosed as a child may just compound the issue. Due to responsibilities carrying more weight, not being aware of having ADHD can present issues in relationships and at work.

If you wondered “Do I have ADHD?” and, after reviewing this article, you think that you or a loved one may have ADHD, see a trained counselor who can direct you with appropriate next steps.

Treatments for ADHD have come a long way, and you may be able to learn coping mechanisms, talk through some of the most pressing issues you’re having with your counselor, and/or take medication prescribed to help your brain stay clear and focused.

Reach out to one of our specialized counselors who can help answer your questions and give you peace of mind.