Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder. It is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often persists into adulthood. ADHD is the most commonly studied and diagnosed psychiatric disorder in children. ADHD includes some combination of problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Children with ADHD also may struggle with low self-esteem, troubled relationships and poor performance in school. Adolescents and adults with ADHD tend to develop coping mechanisms to compensate for some or all of their impairments. Although much progress has been made in our understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, much has yet to be researched, particularly for adolescents. It is clear that the current diagnostic criteria, although valid for children, may need to be modified for adolescents and adults, to reflect the developmental changes that take place as children approach adulthood. Studies are required to clarify how medication needs, types, dosages, and frequencies of administration differ among adolescents and adults, compared with children.