Even physicians can have difficulty with diagnosis given that there is no single test that can diagnose ADHD.
Hyperactivity is more common in children, for example, but more likely to present as restlessness in adulthood.
Children with this punch in exhibit symptoms of inattention along with hyperactive and impulsive symptoms.
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These symptoms must be present for at least six months and must not be brought on by another condition.
ADHD Symptoms in Girls vs.
Boys
Research suggests that ADHD often presents differently in girls and boys.
Boys are also more likely to exhibit externalizing symptoms associated with ADHD such as acting out and being aggressive.
Other symptomsof ADHD in girlscan include being withdrawn, disorganized, unmotivated, shy, and getting easily upset.
If left untreated, ADHD can create issues later in life.
This treatment may include medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.
Other strategies can also be helpful, including behavioral approaches, parent training, and social skills training.
Parents may also find it beneficial to join asupport group for parents of children with ADHD.
It’s also important to help the child learn more about their diagnosis and treatment plan.
Help them recognize thestrengths of people with ADHD.
Going through a checklist for ADHD can help us better understand some of the symptoms of ADHD in children.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Symptoms and diagnosis.
National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Cleveland Clinic.Are adult and childhood ADHD different conditions?
Leahy LG.Diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in children vs adults: What nurses should know.Arch Psychiatr Nurs.
Sex differences among children with high ADHD symptoms.Psychiatry Res.
Cross-domain outcomes by diagnostic persistence.J Consult Clin Psychol.
2017;85(7):723-736. doi:10.1037/ccp0000217
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders:DSM-5-TR.
