Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a medical condition that affects how well someone can sit still, focus, and pay attention.

Symptoms and Signs of ADHD

Because ADHD covers lots of different things — attention, activity, and impulsivity — it can show up in different ways in different people. Some of the signs of ADHD are:

  • difficulty paying attention or staying focused on a task or activity
  • problems finishing assignments at school or home; jumping from one activity to another
  • trouble focusing on instructions and difficulty following through
  • losing or forgetting things like homework
  • being easily distracted, even when doing something fun
  • problems paying close attention to details
  • making careless mistakes
  • trouble organizing tasks and activities
  • difficulty waiting one’s turn
  • interrupting or intruding on other people
  • blurting out answers before questions have been completed
  • fidgeting with hands or feet or having trouble sitting still
  • feeling restless
  • talking a lot and having trouble doing things quietly