The attention deficit disorder (ADHD) can only be diagnosed in a patient if they show at least six of the nine major symptoms associated with different types of this condition. There are two different types for this condition: predominantly inattentive and predominantly hyper-impulsive. In any case, the symptoms must be observed for at least six months in two different settings. A school and a home can be examples of settings to observe behavioral changes.

Let us look at some of the symptoms for predominantly inattentive ADHD.

• The patient losses attention toward details or makes silly mistakes in schoolwork, homework, at work, or during other activities that require undivided attention.
• Their attention span is comparatively low. The patient starts having trouble in sustaining their attention in performing longer activities or tasks. For example, they have difficulty in remaining focused during long lectures, conversations, or meetings; lengthy reading is also affected on a large basis.
• The patient loses attention even when spoken to directly. They are unable to focus on what is being said to them as their mind is focused on something else, without the requirement of any distraction.
• The patient has difficulty in understanding, gauging, and following instructions given by their seniors or teachers.
• They have difficulty in managing sequential tasks, keeping things at their place, and remembering or paying attention to their location, inefficient time management, and failure to meet deadlines.
• They do not show interest in tasks that they know will require prolonged mental attention, e.g., preparing reports and presentations, completing forms ,and reviewing lengthy papers. For children, they avoid tests, preparing for the tests, and homework.
• They have a tendency to lose things that are important or might be needed for an upcoming task. This includes a list of everyday materials like wallets, keys, mobiles, spectacles, and school material like pencils and books.
• They get distracted very easily from the task that they are supposed to do, this is with regard to their short attention span.
• Extremely forgetful of daily activities. These individuals forget performing everyday tasks like returning phone calls, keep tab of things, running errands, paying bills and so on.

Here is a list of symptoms for predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ADHD.

• The patient gets highly impatient in this case and fidgets with his/her hands or feet. In some cases, they are also seen squirming in their seats.
• The patient usually leaves their seat to take a walk and retake the seat as they have nowhere in particular to go. These are situations where they aren’t expected to leave their seat or are expected to focus on the lecture or meeting. It could be any other situation that requires them to be seated in their seat.
• They are often seen running into or climbing into situations that are not ideal for them to be a part of. It can also be termed close to being restless.
• They are unable to relax or stay put in a spot for a long period of time. This makes them unable to take part in leisure activities or remain quiet for a long period.
• The patient is always on the move or walk around like they are being controlled by a motor. They are very uncomfortable when asked to be seated in a spot for an extended period of time, such as restaurants, meetings or conferences.
• Engage in long, most often unnecessary, conversations. They are known to talk excessively in situations that do not require them to talk much.
• Shows excessive eagerness to deliver their reply before the first person has finished their sentence. They are also known to answer the question before it has been completed. For example, they complete other people’s sentences or cannot wait for their turn in a debate, discussion or conversation.
• These patients get very restless and have difficulty in waiting for their turn during any activity. For example, if they are waiting in a queue.
• These patients often intrude or interrupt others. They can jump into conversations, games, or activities where they aren’t welcomed. Using others’ things without their permission is another daunting sign or symptom of ADHD.

ADHD in women
The symptoms for ADHD can be different among children, adults, and in women. Other than the symptoms that are mentioned above, there is a checklist of symptoms that must be filled by the patient and not by the teachers and parents. This is the best way to diagnose ADHD in women, or any individual. There is a different checklist for ADHD as girls follow a vividly different behavioral pattern as compared to the other gender.

Apart from the abovementioned symptoms, anxiety and depression are one of the most daunting symptoms of ADHD in children and adults.