ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that involves a deficit of dopamine

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition and developmental disorder characterised by a lack of dopamine and an underdeveloped pre-frontal cortex.

This manifests as:

• difficulty with regulating attention levels, swinging between
  • inability to concentrate on a task
  • or hyperfocus, concentrating on a task to the exclusion of all else, including bodily functions
• Restlessness and/or hyperactivity
• Impulse control issues
• Forgetfulness
• Time Blindness
• Executive Function difficulties
• Difficulty regulating emotion
• Difficulty switching between tasks
• Struggles with addiction, often as a result of trying to self-medicate eg with caffeine, nicotine or hard drugs

Despite the name, ADHD is NOT a deficit of attention.^[1] Instead it is an issue with the regulation of attention, which leads to inconsistency and irregularity of attention.

ADHD has a high co-morbidity with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Dyspraxia. If not diagnosed until adulthood it is highly co-morbid with depression and anxiety.

See: Pharmaceutical treatments are available for ADHD for what treatment options are available

See: ADHD coping mechanisms and non-medication treatments for links to holistic coping mechanisms

See: The ADHD tax is the extra costs accrued due to having ADHD for some of the ways ADHD can negatively affect your life

Deeper: Dyspraxia is a condition affecting physical coordination and spatial awareness for more on dyspraxia

Source: Solden, S (2005) Women With Attention Deficit Disorder