The symptoms of ADHD can be categorised into 2 types of behavioural problems:

• Inattentiveness- difficulty concentrating and focusing (outdated term of ADD).
• Hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

Symptoms of ADHD may be noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child’s circumstances change, such as when they start school.

Most cases are diagnosed when children are under 12 years old, but sometimes it is diagnosed later in childhood.

Sometimes ADHD was not recognised when someone was a child, and they are diagnosed later as an adult.

The symptoms of ADHD may improve with age, but many adults who were diagnosed with the condition at a young age continue to experience problems.

People with ADHD may also have additional problems, such as sleep, anxiety disorders, poor self-esteem and relationship difficulties.

Adults with ADHD

• Organisation and time management eg. Often late or time blind, work is messy or disorganised, difficulties planning daily life activities.
• Following instructions eg. Making mistakes, concentration in conversations or meetings.
• Focusing and completing tasks eg. Easily distracted by thoughts or other stimuli, not able to keep attention on tasks (or the opposite of being really focused), finding it hard when tasks have sequences of that require sustained mental effort.
• Coping with stress eg. Emotional or anger/frustration outburst, feeling overwhelmed.
• Feeling restless or impatient eg. Difficulties waiting turn, rushing through work, fidgeting, always busy.
• Impulsiveness and risk taking eg reckless spending, talking out of turn, doing or saying things without thinking.Some adults may also have issues with relationships, social interactions and anxiety.Some adults may also have issues with relationships, social interactions and anxiety.

Some adults may also have issues with relationships, social interactions and anxiety.