Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition.
It affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood.
ADHD includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.
Children with ADHD may also struggle with low self-esteem, troubled relationships and poor performance in school.
Symptoms sometimes lessen with age. However, some people never completely outgrow their ADHD symptoms. But they can learn strategies to be successful.
While treatment won't cure ADHD, it can help a great deal with symptoms.
Treatment typically involves medications and behavioral interventions. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in outcome.
Symptoms
Inattention
A child who shows a pattern of inattention may often:
- Fail to pay close attention to details or make careless mistakes in schoolwork
- Have trouble staying focused in tasks or play
- Appear not to listen, even when spoken to directly
- Have difficulty following through on instructions and fail to finish schoolwork or chores
- Avoid or dislike tasks that require focused mental effort, such as homework
- Lose items needed for tasks or activities, for example, toys, school assignments, pencils
- Be easily distracted
Hyperactivity and impulsivity
A child who shows a pattern of hyperactive and impulsive symptoms may often:
- Fidget with or tap his or her hands or feet, or squirm in the seat
- Have difficulty staying seated in the classroom or in other situations
- Run around or climb in situations when it's not appropriate
- Have trouble playing or doing an activity quietly
- Talk too much
- Blurt out answers, interrupting the questioner
- Have difficulty waiting for his or her turn
- Interrupt or intrude on others' conversations, games or activities
When to see a doctor
From time to time many healthy little people are inattentive, hyperactive or impulsive.
Children are energetic by nature. Of course, this does not necessarily mean that a child has attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder just because he or she is different from cousins or friends.
If you're concerned that your child shows signs of ADHD, see your pediatrician or family doctor.
Causes
While the exact cause of ADHD is not clear, research efforts continue.
Factors that may be involved in the development of ADHD include genetics, the environment or problems with the central nervous system at key moments in development.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350889
