At what age can you develop ADD?

Question

I think I might have a case of ADD. I'm not really sure though. I'm 13 and my brother has ADD too but deveoped it when he was 6 and now hes 18.

It's just I have been having these strange impulses and ALWAYS worrying about the littlest of things. But this has never happened to me before and I can't tell if it's horomones or not. I would just REALLY REALLY like to know. Cause this has been going on for like 2 months now....

Answer 1

You develop it young. My guess is your brother didn't develop it at 6 but was diagnosed at 6. The best thing is to get checked. It could be hormones, or it could be something psychological. Talk to your parents and talk to a doctor.

Answer 2

You can be any age when you get ADD or ADHD.  It could be hormones, but I would consult your doctor.  Hormones are unpredictable, and can make you upset with yourself, but go  to a doctor just to be sure.

Answer 3

For ADHD - according to the DSM you must either have six or more manifestations of inattention present for six months to a maladaptive degree (manifestations include not listening well, careless mistakes, not following instructions etc) OR six or more manifestations of hyperactivity-impuslivity present for six months to a maladaptive degree (i.e. squirming running around inappropriately/restlessness in adults, incessant talking) The DSM criteria further states that some of these symptoms should be present before age 7, and that there's a significant impairment to social, academic or occupational functioning.

So based only on your description, I would say your behavoir is more typical of teenager behavour, where theres many changes, hormone fluctuations etc). It certainly doesn't seem to fit ADHD (there are other explainations even if it was very extreme). Don't forget, all symptoms of ADHD are *also* present in non-ADHD people to a certain degree. Particularly though teenage years. It's normal.