What are the symptoms of ADHD? Adult ? Women ? Child ?

[Mise à jour le 6 février 2023 à 9h36] Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity ADHD (or ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty maintaining attention control impulsiveness and modulate the need to move. Symptoms appear in childhood and usually persist into adulthood. These manifestations are frequently accompanied by emotional and behavioral problems. The prevalence of ADHD in the child is 3-5% ; at the house of the adult it is between 2.5% and 2.9%. Invited on the set of 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sunday, February 5, the Louane singer spoke about this disorder which she has suffered from since childhood: “you can’t see it, but it’s quite disabling on a daily basis”. Concretely“we’re gonna be talking and i’m gonna think about something else and i’m gonna lose track of the conversation because I’m caught up in that thought” she explains. She also says “being unable to stop myself from pulling out the thought that just happened in my head to the rest of the world at the expense of others because I cut the floor“. Louane is supported for her attention disorder: “I am partly alive today thanks to the care of my mental health. Taking care of yourself also involves mental health, accompanied: you really have to democratize the fact that, if you need it, you have to get help” she testified on the show It’s up to you of January 24.

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

According to’WHOattention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity is characterized by persistent pattern (at least 6 months) dinattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity in several situations or frameworks: at home, at school, at work, with friends or relatives.

► These symptoms appear before the age of 12, during early to middle childhood (although some individuals do not show clinical symptoms until later).

► The degree of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity is outside the normal range expected for age and level of intellectual functioning.

► Inattention refers to significant difficulty maintaining attention on tasks that do not bring a high level of stimulation or frequent rewards, distractibility and organizational problems.

► Hyperactivity refers to excessive motor activity and difficulty staying stillespecially visible in structured situations requiring behavioral control (at school, for example).

► Impulsivity is a tendency to act in response to immediate stimuli, without reflection or taking into account the risks and consequences.

The manifestation of symptoms can vary from individual to individual and change during development. They are not better explained by another mental, behavioral or neurodevelopmental disorder and are not due to the effect of a substance or medication.

What are the symptoms of ADHD in adults?

“Attention disorder is less visible, but still causes many inconveniences. THE organizational, planning and management difficulties come to the fore and their consequences worsen with the growing responsibilities“, specifies Romane Nicolay. The distraction will manifest itself by missed appointments, loss of documents and frequent omissions, For example. On the side of hyperactivity, we also find the same symptoms as in adolescents, that is to say restlessness, discomfort while waiting… The ADHD adult also remains impulsive. “He has a tendency to make decisions too quickly and not to think before speaking. He does not take well to frustrations and his mood is often changeable“, develops the neuropsychologist. Adult ADHD “Frequently associated with other disorders, such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, addictive disorders, behavioral disorders related to substance use and sleep disorders” note it High Authority of Health. Symptoms in adulthood are strongly influenced by experiences, failures, successes and the personal and professional environment.

What are the symptoms of ADHD in women?

In girls, ADHD can manifest differently. “They tend to present a so-called inattentive form, that is to say with more symptoms of inattention than hyperactivity/impulsivity“, reveals the neuropsychologist. Conversely, boys tend to present a predominantly impulsive/hyperactive form. “This different presentation can, unfortunately, delay the diagnosis of ADHD in women and, therefore, without treatment, cause more difficulties. However, this difference tends to disappear in adulthood.“, indicates the specialist. For her, we see a difference in comorbidities which are therefore added to the basic disorder. “Women will tend to have internalized disorders (depression, anxiety, eating disorders, etc.) while men will tend to present externalized disorders (addictions, behavioral disorders, etc.).

What are the symptoms of ADHD in children?

In children with ADHD, schooling is going to be one of the biggest problems, the symptoms interfering on this level. Romane Nicolay details the events in this context. “In class, these children experience a uncontrollable need to move, they can’t stay in their chair only by making intense efforts. They are strong clumsy and commit many oversights, resulting in repeated reprimands and mockery. School activities not being adapted to their disorderthey can’t maintain their attention. These children stand out in class by shouting their answers and comments, they can quickly become the “class jester”“. For the neuropsychologist, despite the effort and parental investment at home, time spent on homework is “a real hell“. “Homework will have a lot of mistakes, they will be disorganized and messy“, describes the specialist. During teenagehood, hyperactivity evolves into internal restlessness, often interpreted as nervousness, impatience or boredom. “Attention, on the other hand, does not fluctuate, it remains stable regardless of age while the demands on organization and concentration will increase“, describes the professional. Attentional and organizational difficulties have been the cause of poor school performance. Whether at school or in the family, the failures of adolescents with ADHD can foster poor self-esteem with defensive attitudes (even withdrawal), demotivation, depression and gratuitous and incessant disputes. “Due to their impulsiveness, adolescents with ADHD find it difficult to master the dangers as well as the limits and consequences of their actions. At this age, he is looking for sensations and novelties that can increase the risk factor for accidents of all kinds.“.

What are the symptoms of ADHD in babies?

In babies, it is difficult to make a diagnosis, some already presenting precursory symptoms and others not. “Some parents will report symptoms present during pregnancy, with a child who already moves a lot in the belly, or in early childhood with difficulty falling asleep or already increased activity. Others will only find difficulties when entering primary school“, explains Romane Nicolay. Symptoms of inattention are less easily spotted than symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, because they are less the subject of complaints and functional impairment.

What test to do to diagnose ADHD?

According to international recommendations, ADHD is diagnosed on the basis of a clinical interview conducted by a trained and specialized professional. “It is important to specify that it is not on the basis of questionnaires, imaging method or neuropsychological tests (attentional test, inhibition test, etc.) that ADHD can be confirmed.“, warns Romane Nicolay. There are several avenues of support: therapeutic (cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, parental guidance programs, etc.) or medication (ethylphenidate (psychostimulant) and atomoxetine (non-psychostimulant)..). Be careful though. These do not cure people with ADHD, but relieve symptoms and make their daily life easier.

thanks to Romane Nicolay, neuropsychologist specializing in the assessment and management of ADHD. Source: CIM-11, WHO / Haute Autorité de Santé.