ADHD

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder that has attracted public interest. The disorder is characterised by hyperactivity, concentration difficulties, impulsivity, distractibility, and in most cases also difficulties with emotion regulation. ADD (attention deficit disorder) denotes concentration difficulties without associated hyperactivity. The basic developmental problem encountered in ADHD is a difficulty in recognising and responding to both sensory stimuli and emotional impulses. Furthermore, impulses lead to action too readily. The child's reaction to stressful situations (e.g. family disputes, facing excessive demands, dealing with trauma or loss) will therefore often be excessive.Whilst many children with ADHD are not receiving appropriate treatment and rehabilitation, many parents are keen to adopt the diagnosis of ADHD for their child even though the child's problems might lie elsewhere (sometimes in addition to ADHD). The assessment of the child's emotional development must always be sufficiently comprehensive.