The secondary “symptoms” of ADHD include lack of attention to detail, difficulty sustaining attention, the person does not listen when spoken to, doesn’t follow through on tasks, has difficulty with organisation, loses things, doesn’t engage in tasks that require sustained effort, are easily distracted or forgetful. Also, the person will be very hyperactive – fidgety, loud, excessive, talkative and abnormally energetic. And lastly, they will show signs of impulsivity, like often interrupting and blurting out answers to questions. The person will be generally impatient and rash.

ADHD has no specific, or single, cause. It could be inherited, or it could be caused by faulty neurotransmitters in the brain. There is also a correlation between smoking, alcohol and exposure to benzodiazepines during pregnancy and ADHD. Low birth weight and other birth complications could cause the disease. Brain injuries may also be the cause.

To make an accurate diagnosis, the patient needs to see a doctor, preferably one who specialises in ADHD. The existence of other diseases could be linked to ADHD – diseases such as conduct disorder (lying, stealing, fighting etc.), learning disabilities (learning, spelling, and reading), Tourette syndrome (tics and repetitive mannerisms), oppositional defiant disorder (stubborn etc.), anxiety and depression (low self-esteem and insecurity), and developmental coordination disorder (poor handwriting, clumsiness and poor performance in sports).

To manage ADHD as efficiently as possible, both medication and behavioural treatment is needed. Treatment also differs from patient to patient. It is important to learn as much as possible about ADHD in order to seek the right treatment. Dietary treatment is also rather important – some food allergies and intolerances could be important in some cases. A food diary could help monitor any links between the food and the behaviour that is displayed.

A common mistake is to stop treatment for ADHD too early. The length of treatment isn’t fixed in advance and it may need to be continued for several years. The most important thing is to find out as much as you can about the condition and to be supportive towards the person who is affected.

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