What do you rule out before diagnosing ADHD?

Before diagnosing ADHD, clinicians rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, autism, sleep disorders (like sleep apnea), thyroid problems, head injuries, and substance use, often through comprehensive history, physical exams, and psychological testing, as these issues can mimic inattention or hyperactivity but aren't ADHD. A key step is confirming symptoms started before age 12 and impair functioning in multiple settings, and aren't better explained by another disorder.

What to rule out before diagnosing ADHD?

Identify whether the symptoms of ADHD are present and impairing daily functioning. Rule out the presence of alternative causes for the symptoms' presence, such as sleep disturbances, social problems, adjustment disorders and depression.

What is the 2 minute rule for ADHD?

The ADHD "2-Minute Rule" is a productivity hack where you do any task that takes two minutes or less immediately, preventing small things from piling up and becoming overwhelming. While great for momentum, it needs modification for ADHD; a related idea is the "2-Minute Launch," where you commit to starting a bigger task for just two minutes to overcome inertia, building momentum to continue, though you must watch for getting lost in "rabbit holes" or task switching issues common with ADHD. 

What confirms an ADHD diagnosis?

There are no specific tests used to diagnose ADHD. The diagnosis is made by a qualified healthcare professional with training and expertise in ADHD (such as a Paediatrician, Psychiatrist or Clinical Psychologist).

What is the 30% rule in ADHD?

The ADHD "30% Rule" is a guideline suggesting that executive functioning (self-regulation, planning, impulse control) in individuals with ADHD develops about 30% slower than in neurotypical peers, meaning a younger developmental age. For example, a 12-year-old with ADHD might have the executive skills of a 9-year-old, helping parents and educators set realistic expectations and understand behavioral differences, not a lack of intelligence. This concept, popularized by Dr. Russell Barkley, is a helpful tool, not a strict law, to foster empathy and appropriate support.
 

Can adults have ADHD? A psychiatrist explains the symptoms

What is the biggest indicator of ADHD?

Some people with ADHD have fewer symptoms as they age, but some adults continue to have major symptoms that interfere with daily functioning. In adults, the main features of ADHD may include difficulty paying attention, impulsiveness and restlessness. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.

What are the 5 C's of ADHD?

The 5 Cs of ADHD, developed by Dr. Sharon Saline, offer a parenting framework to manage ADHD challenges by focusing on Self-Control, Compassion, Collaboration, Consistency, and Celebration to build competence, reduce stress, and foster positive family dynamics by meeting kids where they are and building on strengths.
 

What are 5 signs that you have ADHD?

Five common ADHD symptoms include inattention (like difficulty focusing or making careless mistakes), hyperactivity (fidgeting, restlessness, excessive talking), impulsivity (interrupting, acting without thinking), disorganization (trouble planning/prioritizing), and forgetfulness/losing things (losing items, forgetting tasks). These symptoms fall under inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, often causing significant challenges in daily life, school, or work.
 

What is the 24 hour rule for ADHD?

The ADHD "24-Hour Rule" is a self-regulation strategy to combat impulsivity by waiting a full day before acting on big decisions, purchases, or strong emotional reactions, allowing time for clearer thinking and reflection to prevent regret. It helps create a pause between impulse and action, reducing snap judgments and fostering emotional regulation, with variations focusing on productivity by reviewing information within 24 hours to maintain momentum, though the main use is for managing impulsive choices and emotions.
 

How do they officially test for ADHD?

Although there is no single medical, physical, or genetic test for ADHD, a diagnostic evaluation can be provided by a qualified mental health care professional or physician who gathers information from multiple sources.

What is the rarest ADHD symptom?

Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive is the rarest type of ADHD. But people with this type of ADHD are very likely to seek treatment, especially when compared with people who have predominantly inattentive ADHD. People who have this type of ADHD tend to have more trouble in social situations, work, and school.

What is the one touch rule for ADHD?

The one-touch rule

Teach your child to only pick up each item one time and put it away immediately. It could take some time to get used to, but once they do, this is a simple habit to keep things neat. For example, coloring books go onto their bookshelf, dirty socks go into the hamper, and so on.

What gives someone with ADHD energy?

ADHD brains get energy from intense stimulation (novelty, physical activity, dopamine-boosting rewards like music/exercise/risky hobbies) and sustained fuel (protein, complex carbs), but often crash from sugar; managing it involves balancing these with good sleep, hydration, routine, and micro-breaks to regulate the brain's need for dopamine and avoid burnout.
 

What are three warning signs of ADHD?

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

• Inattention: Difficulty paying attention.
• Hyperactivity: Showing too much energy or moving and talking too much.
• Impulsivity: Acting without thinking or having difficulty with self-control.

What are the 4 F's of ADHD?

The "4 Fs of ADHD" refer to the Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fib response, a framework explaining how the ADHD brain, often overloaded by sensory input or perceived threats (like a difficult test), defaults to these ingrained survival reactions instead of rational thought, with Fibbing emerging as a complex self-preservation tactic to avoid shame or failure due to poor executive function. This helps reframe ADHD behaviors, like lying or lashing out, as neurological stress responses, not character flaws, according to ADDitude Magazine and Child Neurology Consultants of Austin. 

What calms people with ADHD?

To calm ADHD, use a mix of lifestyle changes, mindfulness, and structure: incorporate regular exercise, good sleep hygiene, and healthy routines; practice deep breathing, meditation, and yoga; break tasks into smaller steps with timers (like Pomodoro); minimize distractions by decluttering; and find soothing sensory input like music or petting animals, while seeking professional help for personalized strategies.
 

How many hours of sleep does ADHD need?

People with ADHD generally need the same amount of sleep as everyone else (7-9 hours for adults, 8-10 for teens), but often need more quality rest (sometimes 8.5-9.5+ hours) due to the brain working harder and facing unique challenges like racing thoughts and delayed sleep cycles, which makes achieving it harder and requires strict sleep hygiene and routines. 

What does an ADHD burnout look like?

ADHD burnout symptoms include extreme fatigue (not relieved by rest), intense irritability, overwhelm, emotional numbness or hypersensitivity, severe difficulty concentrating, procrastination, increased forgetfulness, loss of motivation, and physical symptoms like headaches, often stemming from the constant effort of managing unmanaged ADHD symptoms. It's a deeper exhaustion than typical stress, characterized by feeling unable to cope with everyday tasks, even simple ones, and can lead to withdrawal or self-criticism.
 

What is the red flag of ADHD?

ADHD red flags involve persistent patterns of inattention (difficulty focusing, disorganization, losing things) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (fidgeting, excessive talking, interrupting, impatience, acting without thinking) that interfere with daily functioning, appearing in childhood and often continuing into adulthood, with signs like trouble with routines, poor time management, and emotional reactivity. These aren't just typical childhood behaviors but a consistent struggle to sit still, pay attention, or wait their turn, even in quiet settings.
 

What is high functioning ADHD?

High-functioning ADHD describes individuals who, despite having core ADHD symptoms (inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity), develop strong coping strategies or work in environments that suit them, allowing them to succeed outwardly in jobs, school, or relationships while still experiencing significant internal struggle, chaos, and difficulty managing executive functions like time, organization, and emotional regulation. It's not a formal diagnosis but recognizes the disparity between external success and internal effort, often involving masking symptoms and experiencing burnout or overwhelm despite appearing capable. 

What age is ADHD hardest?

ADHD challenges often peak during the transition to adulthood (late teens to 30s) due to increased responsibilities and complex executive function demands, though hyperactivity often lessens, while inattention can persist or worsen, especially without treatment. The teenage years (13-18) are also particularly hard, with rising academic/social pressure and hormonal changes exacerbating difficulties. However, each person's experience varies, and while some symptoms fade, others remain, requiring coping strategies. 

What are the big 5 personality traits of ADHD?

The Five Factor Model personality trait Openness, but not any other FFM factor, is linked to neurocognitive profiles in ADHD. ADHD subjects showed higher Neuroticism and lower Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness than healthy controls.

What super powers do people with ADHD have?

ADHD "superpowers" refer to unique strengths often found with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, like intense creativity, innovative problem-solving, boundless energy, resilience, hyperfocus on interesting tasks, strong intuition, and big-picture thinking, stemming from a neurodivergent brain that processes information differently, leading to unique perspectives and powerful drive when engaged. These traits, when nurtured and channeled, can fuel success in artistic, entrepreneurial, and athletic fields, though context matters for managing challenges like impulsivity. 

What skills do kids with ADHD need?

Here are over 25 strategies educators can try to help learners with ADHD:

• Give extra opportunities for movement. ...
• Consider flexible seating. ...
• Set up a work station in each class. ...
• Give clear verbal and written instructions. ...
• Teach executive functioning skills. ...
• Use checklists. ...
• Use a visual schedule.