Introduction to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common mental health disorder that affects an estimated 3.6 % of children and 2.5 % of adults in the UK. The disorder is well established in childhood, with rapid service development since the mid-1990s. As a result, almost all regions of the UK have child and adolescent mental health or pediatric services with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in young people. Depending on the severity of the condition and co-occurring mental health or psychosocial problems, these young people generally will receive medical, social, and educational interventions. Follow-up studies of children with ADHD indicate that approximately 15 % retain the full ADHD diagnosis at age 25, and a further 50 % remain in partial remission, with persistence of some symptoms associated with significant impairments. Yet until recently, adult services have been poorly developed in the UK and other parts of Europe, despite the known impact that ADHD has on adult mental health.