Author: Valerie Balandra

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a childhood-onset disorder that is becoming increasingly common. It is estimated that approximately 8 to 10 percent of children and 4 percent of all adults are affected, leading to problems functioning at school or work and escalating the risk of accidents and injury. People who suffer from ADHD also have an increased tendency to experience emotional disorders such as depression. What are the Characteristic Symptoms of ADHD? Children with ADHD typically exhibit a variety of symptoms, including inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity; these are characterized by the following behaviors: Inattention: Distractibilty; Difficulty following instructions; Tendency to leave tasks unfinished; Daydreaming; Failure to listen when someone is speaking; Difficulty organizing and completing daily tasks; Dislike of activities that involve sitting and focusing on one thing. Impulsiveness: Interrupting; Answering before a question is completed; Difficulty taking turns. Hyperactivity: Constant movement (restlessness); Fidgeting or squirming when seated; Excessive chattering; Inability to engage in quiet play. Adults with ADHD are often unaware that they have the disease until their own child is diagnosed; at this time, problems that they have been experiencing are often recognized as signs of the disorder. Adult symptoms may differ from those of children and often include chronic lateness, procrastination, anxiety, poor work performance, anxiety and/or depression, impulsiveness, difficulty concentrating, and lack of organizational skills. What Causes ADHD? ADHD is a complex childhood...