Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD as it is commonly referred to, is a term used to describe certain behavioural problems in people. 

We tend to think ADHD as something only children experience, but over the past 20 years, it has been recognized that many older adolescents and adults have ADHD too.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is more noticeable in children and affects as many as 5% of school-age children in Scotland.  Boys are about four times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with it, though it's not yet understood why. It is now known that at least two-thirds of those children who have ADHD continue to experience the symptoms when they become adults.

There are several different types of ADHD and they vary considerably.  While the most obvious example of ADHD would be the hyperactive/impulse type, there is also the daydreaming-inattentive type (sometimes referred to as attention deficit disorder) and some children and adults can experience both. Some types of ADHD display anxious, sad or inflexible behaviour.

All children are naturally boisterous and energetic but for children with ADHD, such behaviour is exaggerated and this is what makes it a problem. 

Some symptoms of ADHD can include:

·         being disruptive

·         taking a long time to settle into a task

·         having difficulty concentrating

·         they are easily distracted

·        experiencing problems paying attention to what is being said and they don’t always manage to finish what they are doing

·        they can be impulsive, responding too quickly before they actually have time to think about things. 

·         they often find it hard to sit still for any length of time

·         they can have difficulties in the way they relate to people. 

·         sometimes experiencing short-term memory problems

·         having difficulty sleeping

With specialist treatment, your child’s behaviour can greatly improve.  But if ADHD is left untreated, aggressive and disobedient behaviour can get worse, so early diagnosis and management is important.

 

Some websites with further details:

http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/mental-health-a-z/adhd/

http://www.adhdaberdeen.org.uk/

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/attention_deficit.html

 

For further details of useful websites to view in regard to ADHD and to see what leaflets and books you can access at our Information Point within DAMH, you can click on the ADHD word document at the top right of this page or alternatively you can click on the contact us at the top of the page to send us a message or request an Information Pack on one of the subjects listed.

 

 

Please note:

The information contained within this information pack is for general information only and is not intended to replace or substitute the advice or recommendations given by a medical professional.  Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the reliability of the information provided, Dundee Association for Mental Health (DAMH) cannot recommend any of the services or resources included or accept any liability for the quality of service they provided.