By Himani Shah
in 
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood, which may persist into adulthood. The primary symptoms of ADHD include problems with focusing (inattention), excess movement (hyperactivity), and impulsive uncontrollable behaviour. Young children often portray such behaviours. The key difference between ADHD and general inattention and hyperactivity is that children with ADHD have noticeably more severe symptoms, that usually causes distress and difficulty functioning at home, school, or with friends. A clinical diagnosis is required from a mental health professional to determine the condition.
What causes ADHD? The exact cause is not known, and it may vary from child to child. The following are some causes identified by professionals:
- The part of the brain that controls activity level and attention has lower activity
- Premature birth of the child
- Head injuries
- Consumption of substances like alcohol, tobacco during pregnancies
- Genetics- ADHD can be genetic too
ADHD is a treatable condition, and with proper care and treatment, children will not carry it forward into adulthood.