A veteran child psychiatrist, Dr. Kimberly Frank specializes in mood disorders, ADHD, anxiety disorders, and trauma in children and adolescents.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood condition, but can also extend through adulthood. ADHD is characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention.
There are three subtypes of ADHD. The first is “predominantly hyperactive-impulsive,” meaning the majority of the symptoms exhibited are in the hyperactivity and impulsivity group. These can include an inability to participate in quiet play and interrupting. Although inattention may be present to some degree, it is not as severe as the other groups.
The second subtype is “predominantly inattentive.” Most of the symptoms in this category are in the inattention group, while symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity are less present. This subtype is often difficult to diagnose, because these children may still get along with other children and not act out. They have difficulty focusing on what they are doing, but because they sit quietly, can be overlooked by their teachers or parents.
The third subtype of ADHD--and the most common–is “combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive.” These are children who exhibit all of the symptoms of ADHD.
Unfortunately, there is no cure, but treatment is available. Because of the nature of the disorder, ADHD can be difficult to diagnose, and can sometimes be misdiagnosed. It is natural for children to exhibit these symptoms, but it is the severity of these symptoms that is they key to diagnosing ADHD.
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