Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Caution: Sleuth is not a substitute for professional advice, and may contain inaccurate information.
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Signs and Symptoms of ADHD
Overview
Parents’ descriptions of ADHD on Sleuth fit into five topic areas:
Acting Out
Defined by these four signs and behaviors: Angry or aggressive behavior, Emotional behavior or difficulty regulating emotions, Acting out, and Argumentative, defiant, or disobedient behavior.
Anxiety
Defined by these three signs and behaviors: Forgetfulness, Trouble sleeping or insomnia, and Anxiety.
Attention
Defined by these five signs and behaviors: Difficulty focusing or concentrating, Impulsiveness, Inattentiveness (or not listening to others), Distractibility (or easily distracted), and Difficulty paying attention.
Difficulty Completing Tasks
Defined by these four signs and behaviors: Short attention span, Difficulty completing tasks, Disorganization, and Difficulty with schoolwork.
Energy
Defined by these six signs and behaviors: Hyperactivity, Very high energy, Fidgeting, Difficulty sitting still ("can't sit still"), Talkativeness, and Constantly moving or restlessness.
All Signs & Symptoms of ADHD
Here are the top symptoms or behaviors listed by parents of kids diagnosed with ADHD:
| Symptom | Frequency | Number of mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperactivity | Often | 114 mentions |
| Angry behavior | Often | 37 mentions |
| Difficulty paying attention | Sometimes | 26 mentions |
| Fidgeting | Sometimes | 26 mentions |
| Impulsiveness | Sometimes | 25 mentions |
| Short attention span | Sometimes | 23 mentions |
| Forgetfulness | Sometimes | 21 mentions |
| Difficulty focusing or concentrating | Sometimes | 20 mentions |
| Talkativeness | Sometimes | 20 mentions |
| Difficulty focusing in school | Sometimes | 18 mentions |
Change in symptoms of ADHD*
What happens to common ADHD symptoms over time?
| Symptom | Worse | A Little Worse | Stayed About the Same | A Little Better | Better | Completely Resolved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyperactivity | 5.5% | 10.1% | 20.2% | 27.5% | 32.1% | 4.6% |
| Angry behavior | 0% | 11.8% | 17.6% | 29.4% | 38.2% | 2.9% |
| Fidgeting | 8% | 8% | 16% | 24% | 40% | 4% |
| Impulsiveness | 8.3% | 8.3% | 4.2% | 29.2% | 50% | 0% |
| Difficulty paying attention | 8.7% | 4.3% | 13% | 17.4% | 47.8% | 8.7% |
| Short attention span | 0% | 8.7% | 17.4% | 52.2% | 21.7% | 0% |
| Forgetfulness | 0% | 14.3% | 23.8% | 28.6% | 28.6% | 4.8% |
| Difficulty focusing in school | 5.6% | 0% | 11.1% | 38.9% | 44.4% | 0% |
| Difficulty focusing or concentrating | 5.6% | 5.6% | 16.7% | 27.8% | 44.4% | 0% |
| Difficulty with schoolwork | 0% | 0% | 11.1% | 22.2% | 66.7% | 0% |
Conditions with similar symptoms to ADHD
Parents also mention the behaviors, signs, and symptoms associated with ADHD when they describe these conditions:
Autism
Symptom Frequency Number of mentions Not making eye contact Often 70 mentions Delayed speech or language development Often 52 mentions Non-verbal (not able to use words) Often 52 mentions Sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis) Often 43 mentions Repetitive movement or behavior Sometimes 38 mentions Not talking Sometimes 37 mentions Limited (or lack of) social skills Sometimes 27 mentions Developmental delays (behind on expected milestones) Sometimes 23 mentions Lack of social skills Sometimes 20 mentions Rocking body back and forth Sometimes 19 mentions Anxiety
Symptom Frequency Number of mentions Nervousness Often 49 mentions Panic attacks Often 42 mentions Unusual fears or phobias Often 31 mentions Shyness or social anxiety Often 26 mentions Frequent crying Sometimes 25 mentions Angry behavior Sometimes 16 mentions Separation anxiety Sometimes 15 mentions Constant worry Sometimes 14 mentions Anxiety in social situations Sometimes 11 mentions Fidgeting Sometimes 11 mentions Depression
Symptom Frequency Number of mentions Sadness Often 38 mentions Keeping alone (keeping to self) Often 28 mentions Frequent crying Often 17 mentions Crying Often 14 mentions Sleeping a lot Sometimes 10 mentions Suicidal thoughts Sometimes 9 mentions Angry behavior Sometimes 7 mentions Self-harm Sometimes 7 mentions Anxiety Sometimes 6 mentions Fatigue, tiredness, or lethargy Sometimes 6 mentions