Academic difficulties are frequent as are problems with relationships.

Inattention, hyperactivity (restlessness in adults), disruptive behaviour, and impulsivity are common in ADHD. Symptoms similar to those of ADHD have been described in medical literature dating back to the 18th century. ADHD was officially known as attention deficit disorder ( ADD) from 1980 to 1987 prior to the 1980s, it was known as hyperkinetic reaction of childhood. ADHD is now a well-validated clinical diagnosis in children and adults, and the debate in the scientific community mainly centers on how it is diagnosed and treated. Topics have included causes of ADHD and the use of stimulant medications in its treatment. These controversies have involved doctors, teachers, policymakers, parents, and the media. ĪDHD, its diagnosis, and its treatment have been considered controversial since the 1970s. Stimulant medications are the most effective pharmaceutical treatment, although there may be side effects and any improvements will be reverted if medication is ceased. Canadian and American guidelines recommend medications and behavioural therapy together, except in preschool-aged children for whom the first-line treatment is behavioural therapy alone. If symptoms persist, parent-training, medication, or psychotherapy (especially cognitive behavioural therapy) can be recommended based on age. The British guideline emphasises environmental modifications and education about ADHD for individuals and carers as the first response. ĪDHD management recommendations vary and usually involve some combination of medications, counseling, and lifestyle changes. ADHD has a negative impact on patient health-related quality of life that may be further exacerbated by, or may increase the risk of, other psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression. The condition can be difficult to tell apart from other conditions, as well as from high levels of activity within the range of normal behaviour. In adults, hyperactivity is usually replaced by inner restlessness, and adults often develop coping skills to compensate for their impairments. About 30–50% of people diagnosed in childhood continue to have ADHD in adulthood, with 2.58% of adults estimated to have ADHD which began in childhood. ADHD is diagnosed approximately twice as often in boys than in girls, and 1.6 times more often in men than in women, although the disorder is overlooked in girls or diagnosed in later life because their symptoms sometimes differ from diagnostic criteria. Rates are similar between countries and differences in rates depend mostly on how it is diagnosed. It affects about 5–7% of children when diagnosed via the DSM-IV criteria, and 1–2% when diagnosed via the ICD-10 criteria. Toxins and infections during pregnancy as well as brain damage may be environmental risks. Genetic factors play an important role ADHD tends to run in families and has a heritability rate of 74%. The precise causes of ADHD are unknown in the majority of cases. Although people with ADHD struggle to focus on tasks they are not particularly interested in completing, they are often able to maintain an unusually prolonged and intense level of attention for tasks they do find interesting or rewarding this is known as hyperfocus. ADHD is associated with other neurodevelopmental and mental disorders as well as some non-psychiatric disorders, which can cause additional impairment, especially in modern society. In children, problems paying attention may result in poor school performance. ĪDHD symptoms arise from executive dysfunction, and emotional dysregulation is often considered a core symptom. CNS stimulants (e.g., methylphenidate, amphetamine)Ġ.8-1.5% (2019, using DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10) Īttention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by excessive amounts of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are pervasive, impairing in multiple contexts, and otherwise age-inappropriate.

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