Symptoms
The principal characteristics of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
These symptoms appear early in a child's life. Because many normal
children may have these symptoms, but at a low level, or the symptoms
may be caused by another disorder, it is important that the child
receive a thorough examination and appropriate diagnosis by a
well-qualified professional.
Symptoms of ADHD will appear over the course of many months, often
with the symptoms of impulsiveness and hyperactivity preceding those of
inattention, which may not emerge for a year or more. Different
symptoms may appear in different settings, depending on the demands the
situation may pose for the child's self-control. A child who "can't sit
still" or is otherwise disruptive will be noticeable in school, but the
inattentive daydreamer may be overlooked. The impulsive child who acts
before thinking may be considered just a "discipline problem," while
the child who is passive or sluggish may be viewed as merely
unmotivated. Yet both may have different types of ADHD. All children
are sometimes restless, sometimes act without thinking, sometimes
daydream the time away. When the child's hyperactivity,
distractibility, poor concentration, or impulsivity begin to affect
performance in school, social relationships with other children, or
behavior at home, ADHD may be suspected. But because the symptoms vary
so much across settings, ADHD is not easy to diagnose. This is
especially true when inattentiveness is the primary symptom.
According to the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
2
(DSM-IV-TR), there are three patterns of behavior that indicate ADHD.
People with ADHD may show several signs of being consistently
inattentive. They may have a pattern of being hyperactive and impulsive
far more than others of their age. Or they may sh
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Conditions and Diseases 
