Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, is one of the most common mental disorders that develop in children. Children with ADHD have impaired functioning in multiple settings, including home, school, and in relationships with peers. If untreated, the disorder can have long-term adverse effects into adolescence and adulthood. more>> Signs & Symptoms Symptoms of ADHD will appear over the course of many months, and include: Impulsiveness: a child who acts quickly without thinking first. Hyperactivity: a child who can't sit still, walks, runs, or climbs around when others are seated, talks when others are talking. Inattention: a child who daydreams or seems to be in another world, is sidetracked by what is going on around him or her. more>> How is it diagnosed? If ADHD is suspected, the diagnosis should be made by a professional with training in ADHD. This includes child psychiatrists, psychologists, developmental/behavioral pediatricians, behavioral neurologists, and clinical social workers. After ruling out other possible reasons for the child’s behavior, the specialist checks the child’s school and medical records and talks to teachers and parents who have filled out a behavior rating scale for the child. A diagnosis is made only after all this information has been considered. more>> Treatment Effective treatments for ADHD are available, and include behavioral therapy and medications. more>> Getting Help: Locate Services Locate mental health services in your area, affordable healthcare, NIMH clinical trials, and listings of professionals and organizations. more>> Related Information Child and Adolescent Mental Health Treatment of Children with Mental Disorders Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Information from NLM's MedlinePlus, in English and Spanish		Publications/Resource Materials Read, print, or order NIMH booklets, fact sheets, and other publications on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder such as: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Overview) A brief overview of the symptoms, treatments, and research findings. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder A detailed booklet that describes the symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information on getting help and coping. More Publications>> ADHD Research NIMH Research on Treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): The Multimodal Treatment Study—Questions and Answers Clinical Trials: Current Studies on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Search MEDLINE's PubMed for recent research articles on ADHD.

Updated: 08/31/2004

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