Summary
Highlights
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a common psychological disorder in children and adolescents. Key symptoms include attention deficits, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which are significantly more pronounced and pervasive than expected for the child's age, affecting scholastic and social functioning. It's considered a neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic component.
The human brain is an extremely complex control center with intricate neural circuits that are not yet fully understood. Neurotransmitters like dopamine and noradrenaline play a crucial role in the nerve pathways involved in these control circuits.
Several medications are approved for ADHD treatment, with methylphenidate (known as Medikinet, Ritalin, Concerta, etc.) being the most common. Methylphenidate acts on dopamine and noradrenaline, increasing their presence in the synaptic cleft, thereby amplifying the signal strength between neurons. This stimulant medication helps improve concentration, attention span, and can aid in better control of motor skills and impulsivity.
ADHD treatment is part of a comprehensive therapeutic concept tailored to the individual needs of the family and child. While children may show signs in kindergarten, diagnosis often occurs in the early years of primary school due to academic difficulties. Boys are diagnosed more frequently than girls, possibly because they exhibit more disruptive behavior. Children referred to inpatient settings often have long histories of illness, co-occurring conditions like conduct disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, or tic disorders, and face significant challenges in school, often including multiple school changes and various medical interventions prior to inpatient treatment.