Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a disorder that exists as a complex of symptoms. ADHD is usually found in children but can also exist among adults. The trouble with diagnosing ADHD is that normal childhood behaviour can get overdetermined and lead to a vicious circle of reinforcing such behavior. On the other hand, many of the signs parents and teachers may pass over as “kids being kids” may actually lead to a crucial early diagnosis of ADHD.

Restlessness
Patients with ADHD often cannot be calm or still for even short periods of time. They tend to physically manifest their restlessness by being constantly fidgety, antsy or shifty. This usually only gets worse when a parent or circumstance forces them to stay still.

Emotional impulse control
This is especially pronounced among children but may show up differently among adults. Children who suffer from ADHD often burst out in anger or frustration when they are required to conform to a rule or to wait for their desired result.

Daydreaming
For the most part, healthy daydreaming is an important part of growing up. However, an extremely quiet regular daydreamer who does not partake in any social activity for the sake of their pre-occupations may be a sign of ADHD. This is a very fine line and must be read with caution, children often go through phases of introversion and some may well prefer to be by themselves for perfectly normal reasons. But a trained doctor will be able to separate this from the kind of daydreaming that may be a sign of ADHD.

Focus
As the name suggests, the biggest problem ADHD patients face is their inability to focus on any task at hand. This lack of focus can extend to day to day activities like reading and conversations.

Self-focus
Younger patients are found to be especially prone become fixated with their own impulses so that they cannot take into account the needs and feelings of others. This may show up as rude or inappropriate behavior on a regular basis.

Forgetfulness
Since most ADHD patients cannot focus enough to absorb and commit facts, numbers or events to memory they may seem to forget simple information. This may lead to a general disorder around them and regular mistakes in the simplest tasks.

All these or some of these symptoms may be seen in normal children from time to time and may be fine to ignore, or may well be symptoms of a deeper problem leading to ADHD. Getting professional help is crucial and it is important to stress that if a child is involved, under no circumstances should you self-medicate.