Symptoms of ADHD include a persistent inability to focus, being easily distracted, and being hyperactive. Students who have been diagnosed with ADHD often have to keep moving. That could include moving in their seats, tapping their feet, moving around the room, interrupting conversations, or any other type of movement.
Diagnosis of ADHD is not easy and is not based on only occasionally seeing a few symptoms. The student must exhibit a large number of symptoms, demonstrate significant problems with daily life in several major life areas such as school, work, or social setting, and have had the symptoms for a minimum of six months. It is a multi-step process. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD. Instead, diagnosticians rely on a variety of tools, the most important of which is information about the person and his or her behavior and environment. Many other problems, like anxiety, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms as ADHD.
There are some states that have a higher rate of people diagnosed with ADHD. For instance, Louisiana, North Carolina, Alabama, and Delaware lead The States with a rate of 14%-15.9%. States with lower rates include much of the Southwest from California to Texas.
Up to 30% of children and 25-40% of adults with ADHD have a co-existing anxiety disorder and Up to 70% will be treated for depression at some point in their lives. Lastly sleep disorders affect people with ADHD 2-3 times more often than those without ADHD.
Rochelle Kenyon, SME