Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD or AD/HD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, primarily characterized by "the co-existence of attentional problems and hyperactivity, with each behavior occurring frequently together."

ADHD which is estimated to affect 3 to 5% of children, is the most commonly studied and diagnosed psychiatric disorder occurring in childhood and is diagnosed two to four times as frequently in boys as in girls,though this discrepancy may be due to subjective bias of referring teachers. It's considered to be a chronic condition with 30 to 60% of individuals diagnosed in childhood continuing to have symptoms into adulthood, affecting approximately 4.7 percent of American adults.

The symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to differentiate from other disorders, increasing the likelihood that the diagnosis of ADHD will be missed.Additionally, most clinicians have not received formal training in the assessment and treatment of ADHD, particularly in adult patients.

The management of ADHD usually involves some combination of medications, behavior modifications, lifestyle changes, and counseling. Adolescents and adults with ADHD tend to develop coping mechanisms to compensate for some or all of their impairments.

ADHD and its diagnosis and treatment have been considered controversial since the 1970s. The controversies have involved clinicians, teachers, policymakers, parents and the media. Opinions regarding ADHD range from not believing it exists at all to believing there are genetic and physiological bases for the condition as well as disagreement about the use of stimulant medications in treatment.Most healthcare providers accept that ADHD is a genuine disorder with debate in the scientific community centering mainly around how it is diagnosed and treated.The AMA Council on Scientific Affairs concluded in 1998 that "diagnostic criteria for ADHD are based on extensive empirical research and, if applied appropriately, lead to the diagnosis of a syndrome with high interrater reliability, good face validity, and high predictability of course and medication responsiveness.

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