Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic disorder. ADHD is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood. About 60% of children diagnosed with ADHD retain the disorder as adults. Teenagers are known for their lack of motivation. It is hard for these children to control their behavior and/or pay attention. It is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent of children have ADHD, or approximately 2 million children in the United States. This means that in a classroom of 25 to 30 children, it is likely that at least one will have ADHD. ADHD is most commonly diagnosed in children and, over the past decade, has been increasingly diagnosed in adults. The behavioral classification for ADHD is not completely accurate in that those with Predominately Inattentive ADHD often display little or no overt behaviors. The first criteria can be satisfied by using an ADHD-specific instrument such as the Conners' Rating Scale. Children with ADHD experience an inability to sit still and pay attention in class and the negative consequences of such behavior. They experience peer rejection and engage in a broad array of disruptive behaviors. Their academic and social difficulties have far-reaching and adverse long-term consequences.