- Attentional deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental neuropsychiatric disorder in
which there are functions that cause attention deficits, hyperactivity or impulsiveness which is not
appropriate for a person’s age. It is most commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents.
According to international studies, approximately 6 to 7 percent of children are diagnosed with
ADHD, with a male-female ratio of 4 to 9: 1. A certain proportion of people diagnosed in childhood
continue to have symptoms in adulthood.
- The cause in the majority of ADHD cases remain uncertain. Studies have revealed, however, several
possible causes: mild cerebral impairment; inheritance from one parent’s genetics; abnormal
metabolism of neurotransmitters; deficiency of vitamins and alimentary allergies; family environment
and adverse education; environmental pollution (such as deficiency of iron and zinc caused by
overexposure to lead).
- Without appropriate treatment, around 70% of the children diagnosed with ADHD will continue to
have symptoms in adulthood, which may cause incurable neural impairment. Therefore, timely
diagnosis and proper treatment are crucial to any ADHD case.