ADHD 

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a brain condition that affects executive function. A child is diagnosed with ADHD when his or her distractibility, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity cause significant disruption in one or more settings, including at home, in the classroom, or in relationships with peers. The symptoms of ADHD first appear in children under seven years old and generally fall into three groups. A child may have one type of ADHD, or a combination of types:

• Inattentive – has difficulty sustaining attention, listening, following through on instructions, or organizing tasks and activities.
• Hyperactive – is unable to sit still or remain seated, has difficulty playing quietly, talks excessively.
• Impulsive – blurts out answers to questions before they are completed, has difficulty waiting his or her turn, interrupts or intrudes on others.

ADHD is a chronic condition. Adults with ADHD may develop skills to compensate for their inability to concentrate. Those who do not seek treatment may experience substance abuse or trouble with the law. Adults with ADHD may have difficulty holding a job or maintaining relationships. Diagnosis and treatment of ADHD can also be complicated by the presence of other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.

ADHD often runs in families. Research shows that ADHD is very likely caused by biological factors, which influence neurotransmitter activity in certain parts of the brain.

The most effective treatment for ADHD is a combination of medication, which is used to normalize brain activity, and cognitive behavioral therapies, which are helpful in modifying behavior and teaching coping skills.

Books on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

American Psychiatric Publishing (APPI), a division of American Psychiatric Association, publishes books on ADHD and comorbid conditions that provide mental health professionals with the latest clinical research and treatment methods for helping patients with ADHD.

	ADHD Comorbidities: Handbook for ADHD Complications in Children and Adults is the only one that covers the multiple ways in which ADHD is complicated by other psychiatric and learning disorders in both children and adults
	Understanding and Treating Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder shows how diagnostic and treatment methods in children with ADHD also apply to affected adults, providing in-depth discussion of such issues as the impact of ADHD in the workplace, including steps for maximizing job satisfaction; special considerations related to women; and the effect of ADHD on families
	Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment for Health and Mental Health Professionals, Third Edition, addresses day-to-day management issues faced by physicians and mental health professionals who see patients with ADHD, emphasizing that ADHD is a disability that affects every area of life for a lifetime.