A. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common behavioural disorder of childhood with a prevalence of 1-17%, depending on who's definition you use. Diagnosis is difficult as no specific test exists for ADHD. We family docs usually rely on what parents report, what teachers report, what we ourselves observe, and sometimes, what other professionals (like psychologists and psychiatrists) report after an interview.
Essential features of ADHD are:
But symptoms can vary with time and with the situation.
Those who continue to have symptoms into adolescence and adulthood seem to be at risk for developing substance abuse, delinquency, and what we call "anti-social behaviour". The good news here is that 50-70% of those diagnosed with ADHD will no longer have the core symptoms of the disorder in adulthood. And even better news, for worried parents, is that we have seen good response rates to treatments for ADHD.
TREATMENTS include medication (sometimes), parent training and support, family education, and support and structure in the classroom.
Could your brother be right? Well, I suppose it's possible (there is a genetic component to this disorder as we understand it today). But remember, ADHD can only be diagnosed after getting information from lots of sources (doc, parents, teachers). And treatments are available. In fact, you're getting information on the subject is going to help you and your family understand ADHD even better....so thanks for asking!
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