Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex and multi-faceted neurodevelopmental disorder arising due to a wide range of factors.^1,2

·       - are judged excessive for the person’s age or level of overall development -ie the level of such behaviours is outside the limits of normal variation expected for their age and level of intellectual functioning.

·       - show a persistent pattern of at least 6 months that has a direct negative impact on academic, occupational, or social functioning;

·       - occur in two or more settings such as home life, school/work, social and leisure activities

ADHD is associated with childhood, and symptoms may decrease with age and become less and less prominent through adolescence. For ADHD diagnoses in adults there is an expectation that traits, signs, symptoms or associated behaviours should have been present before the age of 12 years, although not necessarily recognised as such at the time.^1,3

ADHD encompasses the term attention deficit disorder (ADD) which is now considered outdated. ADHD is the general term whether or not hyperactivity is a key feature. ADD is sometimes used to describe a subset of ADHD symptoms where hyperactivity is not as dominant as inattentiveness, forgetfulness and indecisiveness.⁵