24-Hour Crisis and Information Center Line:

(502) 589-4313
or 1-800-221-0446
TDD-(502) 589-4259
or 1-877-589-4259


To Make A First Appointment Call:

(502) 589-1100
or 1-800-264-8799
TDD-(502) 589-4259
or 1-877-589-4259

Joint Commission National Quality Approval Seal

Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity

Alliance of Information & Referral Systems Accredited

Outlook Web Access

Benergy


powered by centersite dot net
ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Basic Information

(ADHD) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Online Resources

The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed description of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), its causes, symptoms and treatments. ADHD is a neurological disorder that develops during childhood and can persist into adulthood. Although adult ADHD is more common than initially thought, not all children who have these symptoms will go on to have the adult version of the disorder. Childhood symptoms may also change across the lifespan; some fade (e.g., blatant hyperactivity) while others may be expressed differently (e.g., chronic disorganization may result in getting fired from jobs). Because ADHD often "looks" different in kids and adults, the adult version of the disorder will be discussed in its own section later in the paper.

ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders. Approximately 3-7% of school-aged children have the disorder. Prevalence rates seem to vary by community, with some research indicating that larger cities may have rates as high as 10-15%.

ADHD produces symptoms that are characterized by distractibility, hyperactivity, poor impulse control, and forgetfulness. The "attention deficit" component of ADHD refers to inattention, or difficulty focusing for long periods and being easily distractible. The "hyperactivity" portion of ADHD is used to describe behavior that is restless, agitated, and difficult to resist. Hyperactive individuals often appear as if they NEED to move. They are in almost constant ...

 
Latest News
 
Questions and Answers
 
Tests
 
Resources
Basic InformationMore InformationTestsLatest NewsQuestions and Answers
Related Topics

Bipolar Disorder
Child & Adolescent Development Overview
Learning Disorders
Depression Primer
Child Development and Parenting: Infants
Child Development and Parenting: Early Childhood