13 1 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Related Disorders ADHD DEFINED Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is defined by the DSM-5 as a neurodevelopmental disorder that includes inattentiveness, disorga- nized behavior, and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity. It is a complex disor- der that may be caused by malfunctioning chemicals in the brain, resulting in difficulty with thinking and processing that interferes with emotions, social interactions, and academic progress. In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, individuals must have a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that hampers development or academic, social, or job functioning. Symptoms of inattention include having difficulty with sustaining activities, making careless mistakes, appearing to not listen when spoken to directly, difficulty with following through on or organizing tasks, being easily distracted by external stimuli, and/or being forgetful or losing items. Hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms include a tendency to fidget or squirm when seated or leaving one’s seat frequently running or climbing in inappropriate situations an inability to play quietly talking nonstop, interrupting others, and/or blurting out answers before a question is com- pleted difficulty with waiting for one’s turn and/or being very active to the point of almost seeming to be driven by a motor. Also important to an
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