Attention deficit disorders with or without hyperactivity are one of the most commonly diagnosed and treated pediatric mental health problems that are increasingly being diagnosed in adults. The disorders are characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactive/impulsive behaviors that are developmentally inappropriate and interfere with normal functioning. Genetic factors play a role in ADHD's high heritability, while neurological factors point to abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex. ADHD is often comorbid with other disorders and can cause impairments that persist into adulthood if not properly treated.

1. ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDERS
With/Without hyperactivity
Dr. Kersi Chavda

2. FACT:
 This is one of the most common diagnosed and
treated paediatric mental health problems, and is
increasingly being diagnosed in adults as well
 There is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or
hyperactive/impulsive behaviours that are
developmentally inappropriate, chronic and
interfere with normal function.

3. ALSO
 Some features should have been present before
seven years of age
 The ADHD features should have affected at least
two domains of
function>>>academic/functional/social/
occupational
 They should have persisted for at least six months

4. ETIOLOGY
Genetic: Heritability in ADHD is amongst the highest
of psychiatric disorders
Neurological: Functional imaging suggests
abnormality of the prefrontal cortex
Cathecholamine hypothesis: attributes ADHD to
dysregulation of dopamine or norepinephrine in the
CNS or PNS

5. CO-MORBIDITY:
 SLD(60%)
 CD and ODD (40%)
 Depression(15 to 32%)
 Anxiety Disorder(25%)
 High incidence of substance abuse

6. CLINICAL FEATURES
Inattention:
might include poor attention to details, tendency to
make careless mistakes , easy distractibility ,
difficulty in sustaining attention, poor listening, poor
task completion disorganization, avoidance of
tasks requiring sustained attention, tendency to
lose things necessary for tasks, forgetfulness

7. HYPERACTIVITY/IMPULSIVE
Symptoms might include
Fidgetiness, inability to stay seated, running or
climbing inappropriately, noisiness in play, seeming
“on the go” or as if driven by a motor, excessive
talkativeness, prematurely blurting out answers,
inability to take turns, interrupting others

8. SUBTYPES
 Predominantly Inattentive : with at least six
inattentive symptoms
 Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive :with at least
six hyperactive/impulsive symptoms
 Combined : with at least six symptoms from both
categories

9. OUTCOME
Hyperactive and impulsive symptoms may remit with
maturity
Inattentive symptoms often persist

10. ADULTS WITH ADHD
 Substantial impairments in multiple domains
 Higher arrest rates, more marital problems,
involved in more car accidents, academic and
occupational underachievement
 Substance abuse is very common

11. Thank you