Swift River Mental Health Practice Exam

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is primarily characterized by persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. Inattention manifests in various ways, such as difficulty sustaining attention in tasks, trouble organizing activities, forgetfulness, and a tendency to lose necessary items for tasks. This pattern of inattention is a core feature of ADHD and significantly impacts a person's functioning in academic, social, and other contexts.

The other choices do not align with the defining characteristics of ADHD. While anxiety can co-occur with ADHD, it is not a defining feature of the disorder itself. Severe mood swings are more often associated with conditions like Bipolar Disorder rather than ADHD. Visual hallucinations are typically linked to psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, rather than ADHD. Thus, the identification of patterns of inattention accurately reflects a central aspect of ADHD, making it the correct choice.