Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

difficulty concentrating and paying attention hyperactivity impulsiveness


The main symptoms of ADHD in children and teenagers are:

Inattentiveness The main signs of inattentiveness are: having a short attention span being easily distracted making careless mistakes appearing forgetful losing things being unable to stick at tedious or time-consuming tasks appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions constantly changing activity or task having difficulty organising tasks

Hyperactivity and impulsiveness The main signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness are: being unable to sit still, especially in quiet surroundings constantly fidgeting being unable to concentrate on tasks excessive physical movement excessive talking being unable to wait their turn acting without thinking interrupting conversations little or no sense of danger


Inattentiveness The main signs of inattentiveness are: having a short attention span being easily distracted making careless mistakes appearing forgetful losing things being unable to stick at tedious or time-consuming tasks appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions constantly changing activity or task having difficulty organising tasks

Hyperactivity and impulsiveness The main signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness are: being unable to sit still, especially in quiet surroundings constantly fidgeting being unable to concentrate on tasks excessive physical movement excessive talking being unable to wait their turn acting without thinking interrupting conversations little or no sense of danger

Symptoms

Symptoms of ADHD tend to be noticed at an early age. They may become more noticeable when a child’s circumstances change, like when they start school.

The main symptoms of ADHD in children and teenagers are:

Inattentiveness The main signs of inattentiveness are: having a short attention span being easily distracted making careless mistakes appearing forgetful losing things being unable to stick at tedious or time-consuming tasks appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions constantly changing activity or task having difficulty organising tasks

Hyperactivity and impulsiveness The main signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness are: being unable to sit still, especially in quiet surroundings constantly fidgeting being unable to concentrate on tasks excessive physical movement excessive talking being unable to wait their turn acting without thinking interrupting conversations little or no sense of danger


If you’re an adult with ADHD, you may find that:

you get easily distracted and find it hard to notice details, particularly with things you find boring it’s hard to listen to other people – you may find yourself finishing their sentences for them or interrupting them it’s hard to follow instructions you find it hard to organise yourself – you start a lot of things without ever finishing them you find it hard to wait you fidget and can’t sit still when there’s nothing much going on you’re forgetful and tend to lose or misplace things you easily get irritable, impatient or frustrated and lose your temper quickly you feel restless or edgy, have difficulty turning your thoughts off you find stress hard to handle you tend to do things on the spur of the moment, without thinking, which gets you into trouble

Some people with ADHD have problems with inattentiveness, but not with hyperactivity or impulsiveness. This form of ADHD is also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD). ADD can sometimes go unnoticed because the symptoms may be less obvious.

Related conditions 

Some people might have other conditions alongside ADHD. 

Related conditions in children and teenagers with ADHD Some children may also have signs of other problems or conditions alongside ADHD, like: anxiety disorder oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) – this involves negative and disruptive behaviour, particularly towards figures of authority conduct disorder – this often involves antisocial behaviour, like stealing and harming people or animals depression sleep problems autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) epilepsy Tourette’s syndrome learning difficulties, like dyslexia The symptoms of ADHD can improve with age. Although many adults diagnosed with the condition at a young age continue to experience problems.

Related conditions in adults with ADHD ADHD in adults can occur alongside several related problems or conditions. One of the most common conditions is depression. Other conditions that adults may have alongside ADHD include: personality disorders bipolar disorder obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) ADHD can also cause problems like difficulties with relationships and social interaction.