Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

What is the Disorder?

ADHD is a brain disorder, with primary features of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It occurs in about 11% of school age children. Males are 6-8 times more often affected. The onset occurs before the age of 7 years and a large majority of patients exhibit symptoms by the 4th year of age.

 

Red Flags to watch out for

1. Poor attention span with distractibility

• Fails to finish the things started
• Shifts from one uncompleted activity to another
• Doesn’t seem to listen
• Easily distracted by external stimuli
• Often loses things

2. Hyperactivity

• Fidgety
• Difficulty in sitting still at one place for long
• Moving about here and there
•  Talking excessively
• Interference in other people’s activities

3. Impulsivity

• Acts before thinking, on the spur of the moment
• Difficulty in waiting for turn at work or play