ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

ADHD, short for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is a condition of the developing brain in which a person has lasting trouble holding their attention, sitting still, or waiting before they act — to a degree that gets in the way of everyday life. Almost everyone gets distracted, fidgets, or blurts something out now and then; with ADHD these tendencies are much stronger and steadier, showing up across many settings like home, school, and work, and they usually begin in childhood. It is not a sign of low intelligence or bad parenting. Picture a radio that keeps drifting off the station you chose and picking up whatever signal is loudest at that moment: the person can focus, but their attention is hard to point and hold where they want it.

The pattern shows up in three overlapping ways. Inattention means losing the thread — drifting off mid-task, missing small details, misplacing things, and struggling to finish work that feels boring even when one truly wants to. Hyperactivity means a body that is restless and overcharged — squirming, tapping, pacing, or feeling driven as if by a motor, which in adults often softens into an inner sense of restlessness rather than visible movement. Impulsivity means acting before the brake comes on — interrupting, blurting answers, or making snap decisions. A person may lean toward one cluster or show a mix of all three.

Researchers think ADHD grows out of differences in how the brain manages attention, motivation, and self-control — circuits that lean heavily on chemical messengers called dopamine and norepinephrine, which help the brain flag what matters and hold a plan in mind. These networks tend to mature more slowly and work a little differently, which is partly why some people grow steadier with age. ADHD often runs in families, and it has nothing to do with laziness or willpower. With understanding, supportive routines and structure, and treatments such as behavioral strategies and medication, many people learn to work with their wiring and do well.