These behaviours are symptomatic of ADHD if they appear early in life, before the age of 7. However, the age of onset can vary and symptoms may even appear in early adolescence. They must be excessive, long-term and pervasive. They must occur more often than in other people of the same age group. The behaviours must cause a real handicap in atleast two areas of the person s life such as school, home, work, or social interactions.
Boys are at least three times as likely as girls to develop the disorder.
As a result of the disorder, children with ADHD often engage in disruptive activities and antisocial behaviour that alienates their peers and other people around them. In addition, their academic performance tends to suffer because of their inattention and easy distractibility. Parents of children with ADHD experience high stress levels that are linked to their extreme frustration in attempting to discipline their children. This can lead to problems in the marriage and in the worst case, even divorce. Unfortunately, ADHD is not a disorder that disappears with time.