There is no single test for ADHD. It is diagnosed after a child has shown some or all of 18 symptoms of ADHD on a regular basis for more than six months.
Health care providers can diagnose ADHD with the help of standard guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The diagnosis of ADHD involves the gathering of information from several sources, including school, caregivers, and parents. The health care provider will consider how a child's behavior compares with that of other children the same age.
Children with ADHD show signs of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity in a variety of ways. Many children with ADHD:
- Are in constant motion
- Squirm and fidget
- Do not seem to listen
- Are easily distracted
- Do not finish tasks.
In addition, the doctor will do a physical examination. A full medical history will screen for other conditions that might affect a child's behavior. Among the possible causes of ADHD-like behavior are:
- A sudden life change (such as divorce, a death in the family, or moving)
- Undetected seizures
- Thyroid disorders
- Lead toxicity
- Sleep dysfunction
- Medical disorders affecting brain function
- Anxiety
- Depression
The medical history also will help put a child's behavior in context. In addition, sharing the family history can offer important clues about a child's condition. The doctor will ask what symptoms a child is showing, how long the symptoms have occurred, and how the behavior affects a child and his/her family.
Types of ADHD
Doctors might classify symptoms as the following types of ADHD:
- Combined inattentive/hyperactive/impulsive — Children with this type of ADHD show all three symptoms. This is the most common form of ADHD.
- Hyperactive/impulsive — Children show both hyperactive and impulsive behavior, but usually do not have problems paying attention.
- Inattentive only (formerly known as attention deficit disorder) — These children are not overly active. They do not disrupt the classroom or engage in other disruptive activities, so their symptoms might not be noticed.
Diagnosing ADHD in adults
It is not easy for a doctor to diagnose adult ADHD. Sometimes, an adult will recognize the symptoms of ADHD in himself or herself when a son or daughter is diagnosed. Other times, adults will seek professional help for themselves and find that their depression or anxiety is related to ADHD. In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, an adult must have childhood-onset and persistent, current symptoms. For an accurate diagnosis, the following are recommended:
- A history of the adult’s behavior as a child
- An interview with the adult’s life partner, parent, close friend, or other close associate
- A physical examination
- Psychological tests
ADHD symptoms continue as problems into adulthood for more than 60 percent of children with ADHD. The following behaviors and problems might stem directly from ADHD, or might be the result of related adjustment difficulties:
- Chronic lateness and forgetfulness
- Anxiety
- Lack of organizational skills
- Low self-esteem
- Employment problems
- Difficulty controlling anger
- Impulsiveness
If these difficulties are not managed appropriately, they can cause emotional, social, occupational, and academic problems in adults.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 8/1/2007…#11711
