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My 5 year old son is constantly picking his nose, picking his cuticles, picking at scratches and bug bites, biting his nails, and biting his lips. Is this a sign of ADHD? I've been wondering for some time now if he should be tested. He also has trouble paying attention at times--will completely shut you out if your are chastising him or if your trying to give him directions or if he is watching television. It takes him forever to tell a story, he never leaves out a single detail! lol He also is very hyper in the eveningtime. It seems like I can never get him to walk instead of run, and he talks extrememely LOUD. He has a lot of trouble falling asleep at night, but would sleep until 10:00 the next day if his father and I would let him. Do normal 5 year olds go through phases like this or should we be calling his pediatrician?

Dr. Tom Greenspon Replied: All of the things you mention could be signs of ADHD; the problem is, they could be signs of other things as well, or instead. There are children with anxiety disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, or some forms of autism who act in these ways, and there are children with none of these conditions who act this way because of stresses in their lives, or fears. It sounds at least like some level of anxiety is involved here; since this is ongoing and seems to characterize much of his life, I would have you call his pediatrician and consider testing by a knowledgeable psychologist. All of the conditions I mention here can be helped, once you know what is actually going on!
Posted On 2009-12-22 14:06:50