Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: An Overview

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder of childhood. ADHD is characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention that interfere with functioning or development. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, recognizes three types of ADHD presentation: predominantly inattentive; predominantly hyperactive/Impulsive; and combined. ADHD is a polygenic disorder thought to involve disruptions in the neural circuitry involving cortical-striatal-thalamiccortical loops that may develop prenatally and can be affected by the postnatal environment. ADHD tends to be a life-long disorder, with enormous public health consequences. People suffering from the disorder often demonstrate educational, occupational, and social functioning deficits. Mental health providers must consider optimal psychosocial and medication treatments and be vigilant for co-occurring psychiatric disorders that must also be treated to improve prognosis. This article provides an up-to-date overview on the postulated etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of ADHD.