ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) symptoms indicate that a child or adult may be sufferring from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adhd/DS00275/DSECTION=symptoms ADHD symptoms usually appear before the age of seven.http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/parents_pdfs/ADHDFactSheet.pdf Although ADHD symptoms may become noticeable as early as infancy in some cases, a diagnosis is most often made between the ages of three and seven. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adhd/DS00275/DSECTION=symptomshttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/Pages/Symptoms.aspx ADHD symptoms are more detectable during activities that require focused mental effort.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adhd/DS00275/DSECTION=symptoms

There is no single test to diagnose ADHD, although the symptoms are well defined in children and teenagers. A medical examination, including hearing and vision tests, is usually first conducted to rule out other problems like anxiety, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities which can also cause ADHD symptoms.http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/parents_pdfs/ADHDFactSheet.pdf Since every child shows inattentive or hyperactive behaviors at one time or another, individuals must have six symptomatic characteristics in either or both subtypes to be diagnosed with ADHD. The symptoms must be more frequent or severe compared to other children of the same age, must create significant difficulty in at least two areas of life, such as home, social settings, school, or work, and must be present for at least six months.http://www.help4adhd.org/en/treatment/guides/dsm ADHD symptoms developed during childhood often last into the teenage years and adulthood. It is uncertain whether ADHD can occur in adults without first appearing during childhood. The lack of research into adults with ADHD leads to the absence of a definitive list of adult ADHD symptoms.http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

While many children with ADHD show either predominantly inattentive symptoms or predominantly hyperactive-impulsive behavior, most children have combined signs of both subtypes.http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/Pages/Symptoms.aspxhttp://www.help4adhd.org/en/treatment/guides/dsm The symptomatic behaviors are also different for boys and girls. While girls are more likely to be inattentive, boys tend to be hyperactive. Inattentive girls often daydream whereas inattentive boys are more likely to play or move around aimlessly.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adhd/DS00275/DSECTION=symptoms

Symptoms for the predominantly inattentive type:http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/Pages/Symptoms.aspxhttp://www.help4adhd.org/en/treatment/guides/dsm

• Failing to give close attention to details which often leads to careless mistakes
• Having a very short attention span
• Having difficulty in listening or following conversations
• Struggling to follow through on instructions
• Having difficulty in organizing tasks
• Avoiding or disliking tedious or time consuming tasks which require sustained mental effort
• Losing things
• Being easily distracted and constantly changing activity or task
• Being forgetful in daily activities

Symptoms for the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type:http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/Pages/Symptoms.aspxhttp://www.help4adhd.org/en/treatment/guides/dsm

• Fidgeting constantly
• Finding it difficult to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
• Running about or moving excessively
• Being unable to settle to tasks
• Acting without thinking
• Talking excessively
• Being unable to wait for a turn
• Interrupting or intruding upon others
• Breaking set rules with little or no sense of danger

Symptoms for the combined type:http://www.help4adhd.org/en/treatment/guides/dsm

• Showing both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms

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