Читать книгу New hope for ADHD in children and adults - Helena Bester - Страница 24

The three main symptoms of ADHD are:

•inattentiveness

•hyperactivity

•impulsivity

These three basic symptoms do not all manifest in all ADHD sufferers. About 85 per cent of ADHD sufferers are diagnosed as the “combined group” where all three symptoms are present. In adolescents and adults the hyperactivity component usually presents as talkativeness. The older (adolescents and adults) combined ADHD sufferer therefore does not necessarily run and jump about excessively but they do usually talk a lot. Another pattern I have noticed in the older combined ADHD sufferers is that they often experience physical discomfort, especially in their joints, when they have to sit still for a long time. They may also exhibit emotional problems and perfectionist and/or obsessive-compulsive behaviour.

The typical restlessness and constant fidgeting of the combined and hyperactive presentations of ADHD are possibly also less obvious in adult sufferers because they are able to conform better to societal expectations than younger ADHD sufferers. While the younger ADHD sufferer will fidget in the school desk and even get up, the adult sufferer will sit still, but experience discomfort.