ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a neurological condition mostly affecting children. It impacts the brain’s ability to focus and execute tasks. People suffering from ADHD find it hard to concentrate. There are many symptoms, causes, and risk factors of ADHD. Let us learn about a few of them.

Symptoms are as follows:

• Interruptions
  People or children who have been diagnosed with ADHD have trouble sitting still, and they interrupt conversations between people. This is due to the self-focused behavior of the person, meaning the person isn’t able to identify other’s needs.

• Emotional outbursts
  Those with ADHD may find it challenging to keep their emotions at bay. They may have emotional outbursts at inappropriate times. In children, we can also see temper tantrums.

• Fidgeting
  It is difficult for a person with ADHD to sit still for a long period. Because they are hyperactive, they will fidget too much. Get up or wiggle in their seat and become uncomfortable when they are forced to sit for longer than desired.

• Lack of concentration
  Even if you are talking to a person with ADHD directly, they may lose focus during the conversation and get distracted. They have trouble paying attention, and even if they claim they heard what you said, they won’t remember it soon after.

Causes are as follows:

• Genetics
  ADHD is a genetic disease; therefore, its onset can be traced back to family history. If a child has ADHD, it is likely that his parents or a sibling also suffers from the same disorder. In one out of four instances, this disorder to be inherited. In some cases, both the child and the parent or sibling is diagnosed together.

• Problems during pregnancy
  Infants who have faced problems during pregnancy may be born with ADHD. If a baby is born underweight, premature, or has experienced head injuries to the frontal lobe may be at risk for ADHD. Women who smoked or drank alcohol during their pregnancy also left the child exposed to the risk of the disorder. Certain environmental toxins can lead to the child being hyperactive, impulsive, and distracted.

• Brain function
  People with ADHD have different brain function than those who don’t suffer from this disorder. Certain scans suggest that various parts of the brain are smaller in people with ADHD, unlike others. Some studies also show that neurotransmitters in the brain of an ADHD patient might be imbalanced.

Risk factors

• Exposure to other conditions
  ADHD can result in exposure to other conditions, such as conduct disorder, where the child is antisocial and may also become violent. They may have learning disabilities and may find it hard to read or write.

These symptoms, causes, and risk factors of ADHD only cover a small portion of the disease. If you ever see these signs in a child, it may be wise to take them to a doctor.