Ever Feel Like You're All Over the Place?
A Snapshot of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
By J-One

The story is a story about a disability few people know about or really understand. I did not have much information or new much about it until one of my friends was diagnosed with it. He just recently found out because his kids were diagnosed with it. This is the way most adults find out they have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

This disability is one that affects 3-5% of school children and an estimated 60% of children will maintain the disorder into adulthood. It is estimated that about 1-5% of all adults have this.

Some of the symptoms are listed below.

Inattention

1) Often fails to give attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, and other activities
2) Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
3)Often does not listen when spoken directly to
4)Often does not follow through on instructions or fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace
5)Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
6)Often avoids or dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
7)Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
8)Is often distracted by external stimuli
9) Is often forgetful in daily activities

Hyperactivity

1) Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
2)Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
3)Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations where it is inappropriate for adults this can lead to feelings of restlessness
4)Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
5) Is often on the go or acts as if driven by a motor
6)Often talks excessively

Impulsivity

1) Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
2)Often has difficulty awaiting their turn
3) Often interrupts or intrudes on others

There are three main types:

Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type - This is where the person does not show significant inattention problems

Predominantly Inattentive Type - This is where the person does not show significant hyperactive-impulsive behavior

Combined Type - This is where the person shows both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms

Some of these symptoms my friend has had for some time and now he understands more about why he sometimes did the things he did or does. In my friends case, since he recently found out about it, he has been given medication to help him deal with it and he is currently taking classes as well. He feels a bit better because now he understands what his kids have gone through and what he is going through. He told me there were times when him and his wife would get into arguments because she thought he was not paying attention to her or was not listening to what she was saying. He also said with ADHD he would be doing something like mowing the lawn and then decide to go inside to get something to drink, then he would get a phone call, talk on the phone for a bit, then watch TV and before he knew it he forgot about the lawnmower he left in the middle of the yard.

He told me it is like his brain is constantly thinking and going from one idea to another and another and still another idea that he feels he has to act on. He said people thought he was lazy or did not care about what he was doing at work so because of this he lost many jobs because of his problems he has or had. He would always say his kids were bouncing off the walls and now he knows why they were "all over the place." He told me it is like his brain is always on the go and does not stop thinking. He told me that his wife almost left him many times before and he is glad she stuck with him because now he knows and she knows why he did the things he did. She has become real supportive and helpful to him while he is going through this. So now he is taking meds, going to classes and trying to help himself by doing things like making daily checklists, getting a planner and following other steps to help himself limit the symptoms he has suffered all these years. He is feeling better about himself the things he is doing and feels he can overcome this.

ADHD is something that lasts a lifetime for some people and is a serious disability that has to be taken seriously by the person and their peers. Also just because someone might show the above symptoms does not necessarily mean they have it, so it is important to get checked by a professional before assuming you or someone you know has it.

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