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Common ADD / ADHD symptoms

ADD or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is quite common in children and adults. According to several surveys, ADHD may occur in as many an 8-10% of school going children.

Experts are not clear about whether children outgrow the symptoms of ADHD. That means that the disorder may be more prevalent among adults than previously believed.

Symptoms of ADHD

In children, the most common symptoms are associated with lack of attention and concentration. They may be hyperactive and might tend to become bored or frustrated easily. Most sufferers act impulsively. The defining feature is that these symptoms interfere with the normal activities of the child. For instance, he might be disruptive in class or she might fail her exams, even though she is bright and intelligent.

Adults who suffer from ADHD find it difficult to concentrate on the work in hand. Organizational skills are lacking. Goal setting may be a problem. They may find it hard to follow instructions and complete projects on time. They may also have problematic relationships and a propensity towards addiction.

There are three major symptoms of ADD:

1. Inattention: The person may feel as if they are moving in a fog. They find it impossible to stay focused and are easily distracted by sounds or sights from the outside. Sorting through information is a tough cookie for these people, and organizational skills are almost nonexistent. Inattention ADD may lead to sufferers losing personal items. They may also live life in a disorganized clutter. They have big issues with time management. The symptoms of predominantly inattentive ADHD are somewhat difficult to identify because the person does not appear abnormal in any way except for the fact that they are slow to respond, lethargic or sluggish.
   
   

2. Hyperactivity: These individuals often show very high levels of activity. This may be in the form of physical or verbal hyperactivity. For instance, some children might seem like they are always on the move, as if driven by something. Excessive movement and fidgeting are common. These children try to monopolize conversations and may even give running commentaries of what is going on around them. They may create problems in the school or at work.
   
   

3. Impulsivity: These people have trouble controlling their behaviors and responses to external stimuli. They often say things in a hurry and jump into a conversation without understanding what the conversation is about. Since they try to be very fast in everything they do, they are often careless. Their impulsive behavior may even prompt them to take on risky and dangerous situations without proper thought.

So far, there is no known cure for ADD or ADHD. However, some medications can alleviate symptoms. If treatment is undertaken at the right time, there is no reason why sufferers cannot lead a normal, fulfilling and successful life.

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