The symptoms of ADHD include inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity. These are traits that most children display at some point or another. But to establish a diagnosis of ADHD, sometimes referred to as ADD, the symptoms should be inappropriate for the child's age. Adults also can have ADHD; in fact, up to half of adults diagnosed with the disorder had it as children. When ADHD persists into adulthood, symptoms may vary. For instance, an adult may experience restlessness instead of hyperactivity. In addition, adults with ADHD often have problems with interpersonal relationships and employment.

Types of ADHD
1. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, which is marked by hyperactivity without inattentiveness
2. Combined ADHD (the most common subtype), which involves symptoms of of both inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsivity
3. Inattentive ADHD (previously known as ADD), which is marked by impaired attention and concentration.

In TCM, infantile hyperactive syndrome can be divided into three types in syndrome differentiation according to its clinical manifestations. Hyperactivity of yang of the liver due to yin deficiency of the kidney belongs to asthenia intermingled with asthenia; loss of nourishment of mind due to qi deficiency of the heart and spleen pertains to asthenia; phlegm and fire disturbing the heart due to internal accumulation of dampness and heat is sthenic.