ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

This is one of the most common mental disorders in children and adolescents. It is assumed that about 2 to 6 percent of all children and adolescents suffer from pathological disorders of attention and motor restlessness. Characteristics for ADHD:

• 1. Hyperactivity (excessive urge to move)
  2. Inattention (impaired ability to concentrate)
  3. Impulsivity (rash actions)

However, the individual symptoms can vary in severity and do not always have to occur all at the same time. As varied as the manifestations of ADHD are, so colourful are the names for it. In allusion to the typical urge to move of many ADHD children, it is also popularly called the “fidget syndrome”. The generic term ADHD also describes the manifestation of the disease, in which no hyperactive behaviour is observed, but only attention deficits are present.

However, not every restless or inattentive child immediately suffers from ADHD. Only a doctor or psychotherapist experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with behavioural problems can determine whether a pathological disorder is really present after a differentiated examination. The following applies in particular: The abnormalities must occur over a longer period of time (at least six months) and in different areas of the child’s life (family, school and leisure time) in order to really speak of ADHD.

If ADHD remains untreated, this can have serious consequences for the child and his or her entire family environment, such as school failure, family problems or an increased risk of addiction. In most cases, intensive care and targeted treatment of the symptoms can enable the affected children and adolescents to achieve largely normal social and academic development. Today, the treatment of ADHD is based on several pillars: Individually combined, after education and counselling of all those affected, psychotherapy, e.g., behavioural therapy of the child, parent and teacher training, and, in individual cases, drug therapy. ¹

¹ German Federal Ministry of Health July 19, 2018, www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de (accessed: 23.08.2019)