What are the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Core Symptoms: Inattention, Hyperactivity, and Impulsivity
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is primarily characterized by three core symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms are pervasive and significantly impairing, affecting various aspects of an individual's life, including social, academic, and occupational functioning .
Inattention
Inattention in ADHD manifests as difficulty sustaining focus, being easily distracted, and having trouble organizing tasks and activities. Individuals with ADHD often make careless mistakes, fail to follow through on instructions, and are forgetful in daily activities .
Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity is characterized by excessive movement and an inability to stay still. This can include fidgeting, tapping hands or feet, and an inability to remain seated in situations where it is expected. Children with ADHD may run or climb in inappropriate situations, while adults may feel restless and have difficulty engaging in quiet activities .
Impulsivity
Impulsivity involves hasty actions that occur without forethought and have a high potential for harm. This can include interrupting others, difficulty waiting for one's turn, and making decisions without considering the long-term consequences. Impulsivity can lead to social and academic challenges, as well as risky behaviors .
Emotional Dysregulation
Recent studies suggest that emotional dysregulation is a core symptom of ADHD, particularly in adults. Individuals with ADHD often struggle with managing their emotions, leading to frequent use of non-adaptive emotion regulation strategies. This emotional instability can exacerbate the severity of ADHD symptoms and is associated with executive functioning deficits and psychiatric comorbidities.
Developmental and Contextual Influences
ADHD symptoms can vary across different stages of development and are influenced by various contextual factors. For instance, the expression of ADHD symptoms can be affected by family dynamics, school environment, peer relationships, and broader societal factors. These influences can either mitigate or exacerbate the severity of symptoms.
Comorbidities and Associated Problems
ADHD often coexists with other psychological and behavioral issues. Common comorbidities include anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems. Additionally, individuals with ADHD may experience gastrointestinal symptoms and disordered eating behaviors, particularly overeating and bulimia nervosa, which are linked to impulsivity symptoms .
Conclusion
ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, with emotional dysregulation emerging as a significant symptom in adults. The manifestation of these symptoms can be influenced by developmental stages and contextual factors, and ADHD often coexists with other psychological and behavioral issues. Understanding these symptoms and their interactions is crucial for effective diagnosis and intervention.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Controversy, Developmental Mechanisms, and Multiple Levels of Analysis.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, comorbid psychopathology, behaviour problems and gastrointestinal symptoms in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
Validity of DSM-IV attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptom dimensions and subtypes.
A dynamic developmental theory of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) predominantly hyperactive/impulsive and combined subtypes.
Evidence of emotion dysregulation as a core symptom of adult ADHD: A systematic review
Research Review: A systematic review and meta-analysis of infant and toddler temperament as predictors of childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and hyperkinetic disorder
Discovery of the first genome-wide significant risk loci for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis, lifespan, comorbidities, and neurobiology.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and disordered eating behaviour: A systematic review and a framework for future research.
Try another search
what are the strategies to reduce the environmental impact of desalination facilities
what are the realities of the youth?
What are the symptoms of peptic ulcer disease?
What are the principles of population genetics and evolution?
What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?