ADHD

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder involving persistent difficulties with attention, impulse control and/or activity that are inappropriate for the person's developmental stage and interfere with functioning in several areas.

• Everyone is distracted or restless sometimes. In ADHD, these features are long-standing, began in childhood and cause clear limitations.
• There are predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive and combined presentations. The pattern may change with age.
• ADHD is not caused by laziness, poor parenting or insufficient willpower.
• No single blood test, brain scan or online questionnaire proves the diagnosis.
• A careful assessment uses information from different stages of life and settings, and also considers sleep, mood, learning, substance use and other explanations.
• Treatment may include information, adjustments at home, school or work, skills training, psychological treatment and medication.
• The aims are better functioning, less harm and more control over life, not erasing someone's personality.
• Suicidal thoughts, acute psychosis, dangerous behaviour or severe intoxication require immediate help.