growing out of the hyperactivity?? | ADHD Information

Share

 

I  do not know if the really "grow" out of the hyperactivity but sometimes it's expression changes with time. Remember the criteria in the DSM is for kids, not for older adolescents or adults.  Few adults act as if driven by a motor or climb on furniture.

 Here are some proposed criteria for adult adhd. The new dsm will come out in 2010 as far as I know and a number of things will change.

Criteria being considered for the DSM-V for Adult ADHD

1. Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli (DSM-IV)

2. Often makes decisions impulsively.

3. Often has difficulty stopping my activities or behaviors when I should do so.

4. Often starts a project or task without reading or listening to directions carefully.

5. Often shows poor follow through on promises or commitments I may make to others.

6. Often has trouble doing things in their proper order or sequence.

7. Often more likely to drive a motor vehicle much faster that others. (Excessive
   speeding)

8. Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities (DSM-IV)

9. Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities. (DSM-IV-optional)

 

Cutoff would be either 4 of first 7, 6 of all nine.

(Barkley & Murphy, 2007)


These are far from absolute but are are a basis for conducting research to see how well they will fit. Thought this might be useful.

Dizfriz

We knew something was up with our boy from the time he could walk. He was so hyper and broke everything in sight. For years his hyperactivity was the major issue with his ADHD. He will be 11 next month and in the last year has calmed down a lot. He will probably always be an excitable person but he seems to have gotten over the hyperactivity hump. From what I understand, the majority of ADHDers eventually do calm down a lot. My husband's focus is ok. He's in his 40's. But certainly he would not make it as a software engineer or something like that. No hyperactivity. He was very hyperactive as a child, so I guess the answer to your question is yes. Some impulse issues remain, esp verbal. My son's doctor said that hyperactivity is usually outgrown.My husband doesn't climb on the furniture.  I am thankful for that!  One in each household is enough.

Seriously, though, he remembers being able to think more clearly at age 12.  I am hoping that the same thing happens to DS.  Absolutely.

At 12 I didn't know how to use a daytimer. Now I do--even if some days I can't find it
Wow, wouldn't that be nice if our kids would grow out of it. I kind of doubt it though. I think as they age they will be adding more and more ***coping skills***.    I don't know if "grow out of it" is what I'd call it.

But I'm an adult and most people don't really notice that I'm "hyper". They usually say, "High/good energy".

I'm not sure I "grew out of it" more like as I got older I could integrate more strategies to make what was once believed to be a negative into a positive.

Hope that helps...

My 9 1/2 year old dd was diagnosed ADhhhhhhhhhhhhhD at age 5 and has been medicated since then. She is currently taking concerta b/c the adderall became less effective over time. My question is does anybody have experience with a very hyper ADHDer growing out of the hyperactivity? Her pyschiatrist keeps saying she won't be hyper forever. I just wonder to what degree the hyperactivity will slow down and at what age? It is her hyperactivity that is the hardest to deal with. Any experiences? I would love to read!!

Thanks so much!

I wanted to say I really feel for you! The ADHHHHHHD type are the hardest to deal with. They are soooooo draining.I wouldnt say my son has totally outgrown his hyperactivity, but it has lessened as he has gotten older. He just turned 7 and so far doing better than 6. Year 6 was a super tough year!

MetisRebel, you are so right! It isn't so much losing the hyperactivity but using it to your advantage as opposed to some of the mindless, silly things kids do with that sort of high energy. My son was/is so hyperactive that he would decide running around the sofa, jumping off the arm, and swinging to the fireplace mantel, while grabbing the cords from the mini-blinds 20+ times seemed like a good idea. That kinda hyper is hard to handle. But he's getting better. Only 10 times around is good enough. :)

Edited for typos.

LonerGirl39367.5803009259Thanks for the chuckle lonergirl...

I stopped falling out of trees [I'd forget what I was doing up there when I got distracted] around age 14


My son was quite hyper until we started Wellbutrin, which really helps a lot with this type and had almost no side effects for us. Unfortunately, now his symptoms of attention deficit seem to be increasing so we're looking at other meds. But Wellbutrin was very good for us for this purpose.