Having problems sitting still for long periods, not being able to pay attention to one thing, or controlling behavior can be a response to a lot of situations for several people. However, when these behavioral responses become persistent and start interfering with the aspects of daily life, the condition is known as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

People with ADHD can lead a normal life, but the neurodevelopmental disorder should not be left untreated. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can help manage the condition effectively.

Symptoms of ADHD
Usually, the symptoms of ADHD are broadly categorized into two kinds of behavior-related problems: inattentiveness, and impulsiveness and hyperactivity.

Although most ADHD cases manifest symptoms that fall under these categories, not everyone with the condition shows both these signs. While attentiveness issues can be noticed in some patients of ADHD, they might not show any symptoms related to impulsiveness or hyperactivity. In such cases, the condition is referred to as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

Symptoms in children
The symptoms can be easily identified in children and may develop even before kids turn 6. The common signs include:

• Inattentiveness
  An inability to focus, a short attention span, carelessness toward studies, forgetfulness, losing interest in tasks that require a lot of time and attention, skipping on to the next activity without completing the task at hand, and problems with organizational skills.
• Hyperactivity and impulsiveness
  An inability to sit still, being fidgety, lack of concentration, excess physical movement, talking excessively, missing a sense of danger, and not thinking before reacting to a situation.

Symptoms in adults
It is tougher to define the symptoms of ADHD in adults as compared to children. This condition is a developmental disorder, so the symptoms often move from a person’s childhood into their teen years and adulthood. Some of the symptoms linked with ADHD in adults are short attention span, a lack of organizational skills, restlessness, forgetfulness, impatience, lack of focus, mood swings, and temper problems.

Causes of ADHD
Research has pointed out that there can be several causes of ADHD, and some of them are:

• The functioning and anatomy of the brain
  Reduced functioning in the sections of the brain that are responsible for controlling attention and activity could be linked to the condition.
• Genetics
  ADHD is commonly passed on through genes, and almost one-third to half the cases of the condition are among children having a parent with the condition.
• Severe injuries to the head
  Although this may not lead to the development of symptoms for as long as a decade in some cases, it can cause ADHD.
• Smoking and consumption of alcohol or nicotine
  These habits in an expecting mother could increase the risk of her child developing ADHD.

Risk factors
Several aspects contribute to increasing the risk of this condition:

• Gender
  This condition is more prevalent among males.
• Genetics
  Since the condition can run in the family, having a parent or sibling with the condition also increases one’s chances of developing it.
• Age
  The symptoms of ADHD usually appear in children aged between 3 and 6 years, and they may carry on into adulthood.