ADHD (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder) is a common and treatable condition that affects people of all ages.

In boys, ADHD often presents with school behavior problems such as lack of focus in the classroom, impulsive and disruptive behavior, demonstrating a bad attitude towards teachers and peers, clowning around, and getting along poorly with peers which may annoy other children and lead to social ostracism.

In girls, ADHD often presents more subtly with spaciness, lack of focus or academic underachievement. This may be hard to detect in brighter students because they may be able to keep up with their schoolwork despite falling short of their even higher potential.

Sometimes ADHD resolves in childhood and sometimes it persists into adulthood. In adults, ADHD symptoms shift away from hyperactivity and more towards inattention. Adults with ADHD may notice that their life is disrupted by moodiness, work difficulties, disorganization (missing appointments, losing personal items), inability to unwind, impulsive decision-making, and forgetfulness. This can lead to low self-esteem.