It's recently hit me that maybe I have ADD. I'm not entirely sure what ADD is but here's what I have: I can't be bored for a split second. I alwys have to be doing something..playin with my hair, ripping up little paper pieces, bitting on my pen, etc. This is why i always have gum in my mouth because it kind of keeps me busy. Sometimes this isnt even enough for me i have to sit there and twirl it so it gives me somethign to do. Even when someone is talking if i get bored or sometimes i just dont pay attention and am figdeting with something near by. I've been told by some people that I just start destroying things for fun when i get bored. Like if i am sittin at the lunch table and i start to get bored i will start ripping up all the napkins and stabbing at peas with my fork and whatnot. Also I get sudden hyper outbursts alot. I may just be having fun..but alot of times its completely out of nowhere. Help!! Tell me if this is worth looking into!!!

Hi. It is worth looking into, but can you give us some more information?

How old were you when you started noticing the traits you mentioned?

The symptoms you talked about were mainly related to extra energy/hyperactivity. Do you have any of the symptoms of inattention? What is your attention span like? I know you said when you get bored you start moving around and make yourself busy but are you still in tuned with what is going on or do you just totally forget about it?

Example:
You are sitting in one of those office chairs that rolls. Your teacher/friend/parent is talking to you. They are telling you about something that is important to them yet you may not be particularly interested in, do you

A - Start rolling around in the chair, spinning in circles, playing with your hair only to realize 5 minutes later that you don't remember a thing that the person has just told you, they ask you what you think of the situation and you don't know what to say, you feel bad for not remembering, you were really trying to listen and don't understand how you missed it.

B - Start rolling around in the chair, spinning in circles, playing with your hair, but you are still in tune with the conversation and remember most of what they were talking about.

Here is the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Do many of these symptoms apply to you? Which ones? Looking back on your childhood/elementary school years did you have some of these same symptoms? Do the symptoms interfere with your ability to function?

A. Either 1 or 2:
1. Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention
have persisted for at least six months to a degree
that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:

a. Often fails to give close attention to details or makes
careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
b. Often has difficulty sustaining attention in
tasks or play activities
c. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
d. Often does not follow through on instructions and fails
to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace
(not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand
instructions)
e. Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
f. Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks
that require sustained mental effort (such as homework)
g. Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (toys,
school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)
h. Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
i. Is often forgetful in daily activities

2. Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-
impulsivity have persisted for at least six months to a
degree that is maladaplive and inconsistent with developmental level:

Hyperactivity
a. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
b. Often leaves seat in classroom or in other
situations in which remaining seated is expected
c. Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is
inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to
subjective feelings of restlessness)
d. Often has difficulty playing or engaging in
leisure activities quietly
e. Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor"
f. Often talks excessively

Impulsivity
g. Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
h. Often has difficulty awaiting turn
i. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (such
as butting into conversations or games)

B. Some hyperactive, impulsive, or inattentive symptoms that
caused impairment were present before age 7 years
C. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more
settings (such as in school or work and at home)
D. There must be clear evidence of clinically significant
impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning
E. The symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course
of a pervasive developmental disorder, schizophrenia, or another
psychotic disorder and are not better accounted for by another
mental disorder (such as a mood, anxiety, dissociative, or
personality disorder)ADHD Types Using DSM-IV criteria
ADHD, predominantly inattentive type
Meets inattention criteria (section Al) for the past 6 mo

ADHD, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type
Meets hyperactive-impulsive criteria (section A2) for the past 6 mo

ADHD, combined type
Meets criteria for section Al and section A2 for the past 6 mo

ADHD, not otherwise specified
Prominent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity that do not meet the criteria for ADHD
In partial remission