Indepth information on hyperactivity, a major symptom of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Typically, people with the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive subtype of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are considered to have attention deficit disorder (ADD). However, for clarification (and because this is the Suite 101 ADD/ADHD site) I use the term ADD/ADHD instead. Also, in the DSM-IV, hyperactivity and impulsivity are not considered separate features, but as stemming from an overall difficulty in controlling behavior. However, for the purposes of understanding, I have separated the two symptoms.
American Psychiatric Association Recognized Symptoms of Hyperactivity:
- Fidgets with hands or feet
- Difficulty sitting still and often "squirms" in seat
- Fails to remain seated when expected
- Runs about or climbs at inappropriate times and places
- Difficulty participating in leisure activities quietly
- Is always "on the go" or acts as if "driven by a motor"
- Talks excessively
Other Indicators of Hyperactivity:
- Restlessness
- Impatient
- Moves about excessively during sleep
- Has trouble relaxing
- Easily excitable
- Bothers other children with noises and movements
- Energetic but poorly directed
- Excessively touches objects or people
- Enhanced self-stimulation (humming, whistling, making noise, talking, etc.)
- Dislikes situations that require attention and being still
Important things to remember and understand about hyperactivity in regards to ADD and ADHD:
- No one is hyperactive all the time. Most people with ADD/ADHD have unregulated activity levels. They go from hypoactive (slow) to hyperactive (fast) during the day. It is believed, however, that hyperactivity is the worst in the afternoon.
- Do not make the mistake of thinking that because someone displays normal activity levels one day and hyperactivity the next does not mean that he/she could behave appropriately if he/she wanted to. This is very common behavior for people with ADD/ADHD.
- Children with ADD/ADHD will often show problems with attention and over-activity associated with signs of developmental delay or immaturity. (Basically, ADD/ADHD children do not act their age).
- As distracting as fidgeting can be, it may be the only thing keeping the person from bouncing off the walls.
For more information, check out these pages: Spotlight on Inattention, Spotlight on Impulsiveness, and The Big Three of ADD/ADHD.
Note: Recognized symptoms refer to those listed in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision.
