What is ADHD?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour.

ADHD, symptoms start in early childhood and continue all the way up to adulthood. At times, ADHD is not diagnosed until the person is an adult. For most cases, Adult ADHD symptoms differ from the ones in children. In adults, hyperactivity may decrease, but struggles with impulsiveness, restlessness and difficulty paying attention may continue.

Symptoms Of Hyperactivity And Impulsivity

• A difficulty to understand tasks or instructions.
• Often fidgeting or taping hands/feet or squirming in a seat
• Often talking excessively.
• Often blurting out an answer before a question has been completed (e.g., completes people’s sentences; cannot wait for their turn in a conversation).
• Often has difficulty waiting for his or her turn (e.g., while waiting in line).
• Often interrupting or intruding others (e.g., buts into conversations, games, or activities; may start using other people’s things without asking or receiving permission; for adolescents and adults, may intrude into or take over what others are doing).

Challenges of Living with ADHD

• Failing to give close attention to details or making careless mistakes in schoolwork.
• Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities (e.g., has difficulty remaining focused during lectures, conversations, or lengthy reading).
• Often not listening when spoken to directly (e.g., mind seems elsewhere, even in the absence of any obvious distraction).
• Inability to follow through on instructions and failing to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., starts tasks but quickly loses focus and is easily side-tracked).
• Difficulty organizing tasks and activities (e.g., difficulty managing sequential tasks)
• Difficulty keeping materials and belongings

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