What are some of the symptoms/signs of ADD?

i'm 16 and people (mostly friends) joke with me about it because i show some signs. i can't sit still or stay quiet for long, i get frustrated pretty easily when i have trouble doing something, and i have a horrible attention span..but i've found that i can concentrate on what people are saying by playing with something or drawing while they're talking to me. but it's not that big of a deal. don't freak out over it. hm. maybe i should take one of these tests.

Hi Olivia. Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are the key behaviors of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD are especially difficult to define because it is hard to draw the line at where normal levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity end and clinically significant levels requiring intervention begin. In children with ADHD, these behaviors are more severe and occur more often. To be diagnosed with the disorder, a child must have symptoms for 6 or more months and to a degree that is greater than other children of the same age. The symptom categories of ADHD in children yield three potential classifications of ADHD—predominantly inattentive type, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, or combined type if criteria for both subtypes are met: Predominantly inattentive type symptoms may include: > Be easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another > Have difficulty focusing on one thing > Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless they are doing something enjoyable > Have difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new > Have trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities > Not seem to listen when spoken to > Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly > Have difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others > Struggle to follow instructions. Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type symptoms may include: > Fidget and squirm in their seats > Talk nonstop > Dash around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight > Have trouble sitting still during dinner, school, and story time > Be constantly in motion > Have difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities. and also these manifestations primarily of impulsivity: > Be very impatient > Blurt out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences > Have difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games Most people exhibit some of these behaviors, but not to the degree where such behaviors significantly interfere with a person's work, relationships, or studies. The core impairments are consistent even in different cultural contexts. Symptoms may persist into adulthood for well over half of children diagnosed with ADHD. Estimating this is difficult as there are no official diagnostic criteria for ADHD in adults. A 2009 study found that children with ADHD move around a lot because it helps them stay alert enough to complete challenging tasks. Regards.