Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is a complex disorder of impairment of brain functions, which burdens the authors' society with significant financial costs and predominantly relies on prescribing medications (amphetamines), of which methylphenidate is the most widely used.
Abstract
ADHD is a complex disorder of impairment of brain functions, which burdens our society with significant financial costs. Its salient features are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. In many cases, it is accompanied by one or more serious psychi- atric comorbidities. Criteria for its diagnosis have emerged over the past four decades, resulting in better recognition and more widespread treatment. The current opinion estimates its preva- lence in the USA to be 5 - 10% among school-aged children. It has strong heritability and genetic links, as well as environ- mental predispositions and triggers. Although it mostly affects school-aged children, it is well known to affect preschoolers, youths, and even adults, with distinct manifestations and pro- gression. Treatment predominantly relies on prescribing stimu- lant medications (amphetamines), of which methylphenidate is the most widely used. Psychosocial therapy has an important but less distinguished role in the management of the disorder.