ADHD

Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. ADHD is an ongoing pattern that interferes with the everyday functioning and development of individuals. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active. ADHD is more common in males than females. Individuals with ADHD often have other conditions, such as learning disabilities, anxiety disorder, conduct disorder, depression, and substance abuse.

What causes ADHD -

The cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but current research shows it can be a combination of various factors

• Brain injury

• Genetics

• Exposure to environmental risks (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age

• Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy

• Premature delivery

• Low birth weight

How to know if your child or an adult has ADHD :

The symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity must be chronic or long-lasting, impair the person’s functioning, and cause the person to fall behind typical development for their age. They may also show following symptoms among many others:

• daydream a lot

• forget or lose things a lot

• fidget

• talk too much

• make careless mistakes or take unnecessary risks

• have a hard time resisting temptation

• have trouble taking turns

• have difficulty getting along with others