This is a condition in which selective attention skills, self control and motivation to is disturbed. This condition is the most common neurological-behavioral syndrome in childhood and usually continues into adulthood. Poor self esteem, foolish life choices or substance abuse may also develop resulting in chronic feelings of inadequacy, social paralysis and addiction.

Attention problems are selective and may involve difficulties with directing one’s focus, maintaining focus, dividing attention and shifting attention. Attention problems appear unique to each age of development and intelligence level.

Motivation problems are selective and are directed by one’s interest much more so than by whether a goal is important.

Self control problems result from acting without forethought and appear impulsive. The ability to monitor what is occurring now with what one remembers is relevant with what choice needs to be made later appears to be deficient.

Children - there is often a more obvious degree of restlessness and hyperactivity than forgetfulness and inattention in preschool to mid-elementary school age children. Boys are more often noticed with this problem than girls.

Preteens - reading and scholastic problems with self control and attention appear more obviously at this age. Teacher comments of the child not working to his/her ability and parent observations that disorganization surrounds homework are more common.

Teens - social skills appear to lag behind with hypersensitivity to any perception of criticism appear to compound difficulties with listening, observing and working efficiently on school and after school projects. Experimentation with alcohol, marijuana will eventually affect nearly 70% of teens unless recognized and treated effectively.

College students - for some the demands of an unstructured environment result in inability to maintain a proper day and night schedule and balance studies with a social life. The opportunities for distraction into activities involving sexual experimentation and drug often leads to consequences that result in academic probation or dismissal. Depression may set in for the first time paralyzing the ability to continue school work.

Adult women - with marriage, careers or families demanding an increasing efficiency in planning and organization  skills often mood disorders set in and are misdiagnosed as the primary problem. A growing distance between ones potential and self esteem may drive you to avoid examining the source of the problem until your child is diagnosed and you eventually try their medication.

Adult men - often without prior diagnosis, the ongoing challenges at work with details of paper work or presentations become anxiety provoking. Substance abuse, often alcohol, compounds the challenges to balance career with mental health and treatment may mistakenly be directed to addiction or anxiety without a broader understanding of ADHD. Jobs may change in succession along with relationships until either you recognize the pattern, it is pointed out to you by a professional or you end up trying your child’s stimulant medication and seek expert evaluation for yourself.