ADHD: The facts

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavior disorder, also known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Sufferers are impulsive, inattentive and hyperactive, although the hyperactivity reduces in time. It can affect people of all ages, but most usually appears when children are about three or four years old. Boys are five times more likely to have ADHD/ADD than girls.

Biological imbalances in the brain cause ADHD, and these are believed to have a strong genetic influence. Environmental factors, like difficult family or school environments, are believed to make ADHD worse.

Possible effects

Left undiagnosed or untreated, ADHD negatively impacts a person's life, job, and social relationships. It can cause the following:

Aggressive and antisocial behavior as a result of being bored and needing stimulation.

Not being able to concentrate. This makes it hard for people with ADHD to learn, and they often
fall behind in school or homework.

Isolation, truancy or the tendency to get into trouble.

These factors can make it more difficult to hold down a job, but there are no professions which are specifically barred to people with ADHD, unless their behavior could lead to a health and safety problem.

Counseling can help people with ADD and their families; behavior therapy helps people diagnosed with ADD to recognize appropriate social behavior and control their own. Artificial food additives may also have an impact, and it's best to see if dietary changes make a difference. Drug therapy helps in 85% of the cases, although there can be side effects. In most cases, the best solution to ADD combines all of these treatments. If you suspect your child of having ADHD, acting fast makes a difference. The earlier ADD is treated the more likelihood there is of success.