Do you have children? If so, do they struggle with tasks that involve sustained attention or organizational skills? Do they complete their homework, but then forget to turn it in at school?  Does your child get into trouble at school for talking too much, daydreaming or constantly getting out of his/her seat?

And what about you? Do you feel more forgetful than the average person? Do you constantly lose personal items or catch yourself daydreaming? Are you a “chronic procrastinator?”

In the past 10 years the number of individuals diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has soared—the majority of them children. But adults can have ADHD too. The symptoms of ADHD look different in children and adults, just as the symptoms may present differently in males and females. 

ADHD symptoms involve inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Below are some symptoms of ADHD.

Symptoms involving inattention:

• Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
• Often has difficulty sustaining attention
• 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
• Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
• Often loses things
• Often easily distracted
• Often forgetful in daily activities

Symptoms involving hyperactivity and impulsivity:

• Often fidgets with feet or hands and/or squirms in seat
• Often leaves seat in situations where remaining seated is expected
• Often runs or climbs in situations where it is inappropriate  (adults may only feel restless)
• Often “on the go” or busy
• Talks excessively
• Often blurts out answers, interrupts others and/or has trouble waiting his/her turn

This is not an exhaustive list of symptoms. And again, ADHD differs depending on age and gender. For example, some girls with ADHD stay in their seat and are quiet at school; however, they struggle academically due to things like lack of organizational skills and inattention.  This inattention may present as daydreaming in girls.

If you are an adult with ADHD, there are many skills you can learn and implement to reduce unwanted stress in your daily life. You can learn ways to:  better organize your life and structure your time, manage feelings of restlessness in healthy ways, and have a more productive and peaceful everyday life. If you feel your child may have ADHD, summer time is the perfect time to have him/her evaluated by a licensed mental health counselor.

Being evaluated and beginning treatment in the summer means your child will be more prepared than ever at the start of the new school year. To speak with one of our trained individual or family therapists about evaluations, treatment planning and counseling, please contact Life Enhancement Counseling Services in Orlando today at 407-443-8862 to schedule an appointment.