27 April, 2011

A confession

In the course of wearing my Occupational Therapy hat the other day I had to review the official diagnostic manual's definition of hyperactive. I recognised someone as I read the following (and it wasn't my client):
  1. Often fidgets with hands or squirms in seat;
  2. Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor";
  3. Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed;
  4. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (eg butts into conversations or games)
  5. Often talks excessively; 
  6. Often has difficulty awaiting turn;
  7. Often has difficult playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly;
  8. Often runs about or climbs excessively in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents and adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness);
  9. Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected.
I could argue that most of these are present in me at some time or other. I'm better at concealing it than I used to be! I've particularly noticing 3 and 4 recently, and annoyed at myself when I don't notice until too late! Number 5 comes out when I've not had enough people time. Number 9 is probably the least of my concerns, I'm pretty socially competent these days, but definitely have feelings of restlessness, especially when I'm uncomfortable.
Number 6 is interesting - I hate waiting. I'm always aiming to be exactly on time or just a minute or two late (except for trains and planes) so that I don't have to wait. I'm always bringing stuff with me to do or read if I anticipate I'll have to sit and wait. I hate sitting in the park or playground while the kids play. Dreadful confession, I know!

Good thing I was born in the 70s, a decade or two later and I'd probably have been on some kind of drug!

2 comments:

Footprints Australia said...

Now I'm wondering if I'm ADHD too!!! LOL

Wendy said...

This is just the H part, there is an AD (attention deficit) part too, and you have to have six symptoms from each category and have them present from before the age of seven and in more than one setting. Complicated!