Hyper, Impulsive and
Can't Pay Attention!
The ADHD Symptoms

We All Have Some ADHD Symptoms. What separates those who have an ADHD diagnosis from those who don’t is a persistent occurrence of the symptoms of ADHD causing a disability. These things show up enough that it makes it hard to get things done.

It is very important to talk about what the symptoms of ADHD are and what they are not. So often in literature many symptoms that are unrelated to ADHD are mentioned. Authors add aggression, defiance, memory loss, poor sleeping patterns and labeling them as symptoms of ADHD. I gather that they are attempting to bolster the severity of this condition. These are not symptoms of ADHD. The true symptoms of ADHD are serious enough on their own they do not need to be beefed up.

The three ADHD symptoms you need to know are: Inattention, Impulsivity and Hyperactivity.

They can show in different ways. That is where the ADHD characteristics list comes in. The ADHD symptoms in adults may not show up as strongly as in children. ADHD girls and women have a host of unique things to deal with.

I want to mention how I know that my diagnosis of ADHD was correct? When I compare myself to the symptoms list I have little doubt that these ADHD symptoms are me, all over. They are so on it's surprising.
Let me describe them in more detail.

My ADHD Symptoms

Inattention and boredom in class.
I am bright student, being recognized as gifted intellectually at an early age. I was often years ahead of my class. This left me bored while the teachers went over material that I already understood.

Despite my giftedness I struggle in many ways with ADHD symptoms. I am not able to keep concentration on tasks while others talk with or near me. I learn things easily but if distracting input comes about before I am able to act. I have a problem.

It is like my mind completely erases itself. Distraction is so powerful with me that I don’t remember things I was just told. For the observer it would appear that I am not paying attention. As a youth this caused big problems.

My symptoms show in a lot of ways:

• I always had great difficulty with the writen word. I love to talk and can express myself well while speaking. But when it comes to writing things down I struggle. Much of school in the primary grades involves learning how to use written words for assignments. I did poorly because I could not get my good ideas into a form that could be graded by the teachers. I struggled with my ability to get what was in my head down onto paper all through school and still do till this day.


• I often make small errors in mathematics and many detail oriented tasks. This is a frustrating symptom of ADHD I deal with everyday.


• As architectural draftsman I would always have one or two areas of the drawing where I needed to go back and correct. No matter how hard I tried to make things perfect I always missed something.
  Very frustrating!


• I would count the stock in a restaurant and seconds later forget the numbers I just wrote down. Problems with this have always occurred in my life and I have learned ways to compensate.

While working hard at something I can still be easily distracted. It could be as little as dropping a pencil or hearing a fly whiz by and I lose what I am thinking. Like my mind is erased.

If I do not work at treating my ADHD symptoms I still find myself shifting from task to task never sitting down and completing one thing from beginning to end. I can focus very deeply for short periods of time making great progress. It is rare and I have tried to practice doing it. Eventually something will distract me, the symptoms of ADHD kick in and I lose all focus.

Hyperactive, fidgety and uncomfortable when seated.
When sitting periods of time that requires little physical activity I run into trouble. I play with my hands or pencil while seated for longer tasks, getting uncomfortable pretty often.

It is as if that while sitting still after only a minute or so my body and muscles want to move and adjust. My arms and legs feel spring loaded, like they want to be stretched and flexed all the time.

On top of my ADHD symptoms it doesn't help that I am generally pretty thin. My grandmother let me sit on her lap once and that was all. She said it was like my bones were like razor blades into her legs. As much as she loved me, it was too uncomfortable for her to allow me to sit on her lap as a child. It is true, my body does not have much padding and sitting is most often uncomfortable.

To minimize the restlessness and ADHD symptoms I try to get enough exercise through working out, skateboarding and cycling. Eating an ADHD Diet and using ADHD natural remedies helps a lot too.

Impulsivity, interrupting in conversation, shouting out answers.
I love to talk.
I love to share my thoughts and ideas with others and I like to engage in conversation. I often find myself getting so excited to share my thoughts that I interrupt the other person.

This symptom of ADHD can be quite annoying for me. Not to mention for the people I am talking with...

In classroom settings I often knew the answers to what the teachers were instructing. I was compelled to blurt those answers out. Years later I become aware of this signs of ADHD and better able to control outbursts.

I make a great effort not to interrupt those who I converse with one-on-one. If I do catch myself I say “I'm sorry you were saying?” Working on this is quite hard, it takes a sustained effort.
I often want to get my thoughts out before I lose them.

The List of ADHD Symptoms

Inattentive

Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in school, work, or other activities

Often have difficulty sustaining attention and tasks or play activities

Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly

Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish school work, chores, or duties in the workplace

Often have difficulty organizing tasks and activities, doesn’t know what to do next

Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort

Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)

Often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli

Often forgetful in daily activities

Hyperactive

Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirmed in seat

Gets up at inappropriate times, stands due to discomfort

Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate

Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly

Often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”

Impulsive

Often talks excessively

Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed

Often has difficulty awaiting turn

Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., but into conversations or games)

Do these symptoms of ADHD sound like you?

Even without a diagnosis of ADHD making many of the simple changes I talk about on this site could make all the difference with your symptoms of ADHD. I urge you to read and learn more.
Then take action.


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