Basic Information About Adhd: Ebook Prepared by Mind Test

BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT ADHD
E-book prepared by
Mind Test
www.mind-test.org
We invite you to read the following publication and use

our test for ADHD spectrum disorders - in addition to
analysing your score, you will gain access to extensive
educational materials on hyperkinetic disorders.
Do you find it hard to pay attention? Do you feel the need to
move constantly during times when you shouldn’t? Do you
find yourself constantly interrupting others? If these issues are
ongoing and you feel that they are negatively impacting your
daily life, it could be a sign of attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD).
ADHD is a disorder that makes it difficult for a person to pay

attention and control impulsive behaviors. He or she may also
be restless and almost constantly active.
ADHD is not just a childhood disorder. Although the symptoms

of ADHD begin in childhood, ADHD can continue through
adolescence and adulthood. Even though hyperactivity tends to
improve as a child becomes a teen, problems with inattention,
disorganization, and poor impulse control often continue
through the teen years and into adulthood.
DSM-5 Criteria for ADHD
Healthcare providers use the guidelines in the American

Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual,
Fifth edition (DSM-5), to help diagnose ADHD. This
diagnostic standard helps ensure that people are appropriately
diagnosed and treated for ADHD. Using the same standard
across communities can also help determine how many
children have ADHD, and how public health is impacted by
this condition.
Here are the criteria in shortened form. Please note that they
are presented just for your information. Only trained healthcare
providers can diagnose or treat ADHD.
People with ADHD show a persistent pattern of inattention
and/or hyperactivity–impulsivity that interferes with
functioning or development:
1. Inattention: Six or more symptoms of inattention for children

up to age 16 years, or five or more for adolescents age 17 years
and older and adults; symptoms of inattention have been
present for at least 6 months, and they are inappropriate for
developmental level:
• Often fails to give close attention to details or makes

careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other
activities.
• Often has trouble holding attention on 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 schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace
(e.g., loses focus, side-tracked).
• Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities.
• Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that
require mental effort over a long period of time (such as
schoolwork or homework).
• Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities
(e.g. school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets,
keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
• Is often easily distracted
• Is often forgetful in daily activities.
2. Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Six or more symptoms of

hyperactivity-impulsivity for children up to age 16 years, or
five or more for adolescents age 17 years and older and adults;
symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at
least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate
for the person’s developmental level:
• Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in

seat.
• Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is
expected.
• Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is not
appropriate (adolescents or adults may be limited to
feeling restless).
• Often unable to play or take part in leisure activities
quietly.
• Is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”.
• Often talks excessively.
• Often blurts out an answer before a question has been
completed.
• Often has trouble waiting their turn.
• Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into
conversations or games)
In addition, the following conditions must be met:
• Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms

were present before age 12 years.
• Several symptoms are present in two or more settings,
(such as at home, school or work; with friends or
relatives; in other activities).
• There is clear evidence that the symptoms interfere
with, or reduce the quality of, social, school, or work
functioning.
• The symptoms are not better explained by another
mental disorder (such as a mood disorder, anxiety
disorder, dissociative disorder, or a personality
disorder). The symptoms do not happen only during the
course of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder.
Based on the types of symptoms, three kinds (presentations) of

ADHD can occur:
• Combined Presentation: if enough symptoms of both

criteria inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity were
present for the past 6 months
• Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: if enough
symptoms of inattention, but not hyperactivity-
impulsivity, were present for the past six months
• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: if
enough symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, but not
inattention, were present for the past six months.
Because symptoms can change over time, the presentation may
change over time as well.
Hotlines and support
• In the U.S.:
Talk with an ADHD Information Specialist at 1-866-200-8098,
Monday-Friday, 1-5 pm ET, or search the Professional
Directory for ADHD clinics and other resources. (CHADD)
• https://chadd.org/professional-directory/
• UK:
Call ADDISS at 020 8952 2800 or consult a list of support
groups from AADD-UK.
• http://www.addiss.co.uk/
• http://aadduk.org/help-support/support-groups/
• Australia:
Call the Health Direct 24-hour advice line at 1800 022 222 or
find a list of ADHD Australia support groups.
• https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/attention-deficit-
disorder-add-or-adhd
• https://www.adhdaustralia.org.au/resources/support-
groups/
• https://www.adhdaustralia.org.au/resources/support-
groups/
• Canada:
Find a support group in your area. (CADDAC)
• https://caddac.ca/adhd/resources/support-groups/
• India:
Call the Vandrevala Foundation Helpline at 1860 2662 345 or
1800 2333 330
• https://www.vandrevalafoundation.com/
Bibliography
1. Neurodevelopmental Disorders. (2013). In Diagnostic

and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. American
Psychiatric Association.
2. Canela, C., Buadze, A., Dube, A., Eich, D., & Liebrenz,
M. (2017). Skills and compensation strategies in adult
ADHD – A qualitative study. PLoS ONE, 12(9),
e0184964.
3. Mitchell, J. T., McIntyre, E. M., English, J. S., Dennis, M.
F., Beckham, J. C., & Kollins, S. H. (2017). A Pilot Trial
of Mindfulness Meditation Training for Attention-Deficit/
Hyperactivity Disorder in Adulthood: Impact on Core
Symptoms, Executive Functioning, and Emotion
Dysregulation. Journal of Attention Disorders, 21(13),
1105–1120.
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/

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BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT ADHD

We invite you to read the following publication and use

ADHD is a disorder that makes it difficult for a person to pay

ADHD is not just a childhood disorder. Although the symptoms

DSM-5 Criteria for ADHD

Healthcare providers use the guidelines in the American

1. Inattention: Six or more symptoms of inattention for children

• Often fails to give close attention to details or makes

2. Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Six or more symptoms of

• Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in

In addition, the following conditions must be met:

• Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms

Based on the types of symptoms, three kinds (presentations) of

• Combined Presentation: if enough symptoms of both

1. Neurodevelopmental Disorders. (2013). In Diagnostic

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