What is ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurological condition that leads to difficulty controlling and halting ideas (inattention), movement (physical restlessness) and behaviour (impulsivity).
ADHD affects about 5% of children and follow-up studies have shown that symptoms persist into adulthood for more than half of these. A recent U.S. study estimates the prevalence rate of ADHD in the adult population at 4%. ADHD adults suffer above all from cognitive-attention problems (distractibility, mental restlessness), associated disorganization (e.g., procrastination: difficulty beginning and completing tasks, tendency to scatter one's attention, difficulty keeping track of time), and impulsivity. These are as much an impediment at work as in their private life. At times, ADHD adults also have difficulty modulating their emotional responses ("thin-skinned", "hypersensitive", "short-fused"). Often, these individuals will have learned to deal with their physical restlessness by channelling it into their work or through sports. Some will "self-medicate" by taking over-the-counter psychostimulants (e.g., caffeine, nicotine) or illicit drugs obtained on the street (e.g., cannabis, cocaine).
On account of these symptoms and their impact, many ADHD adults also suffer from poor self-esteem and a chronic sense of under-achievement.
Latest
Québec Symposium
Québec, May 15-16, 2008
New program!
ADDA's 2008 National Meeting
July 10-13, 2008
The 2nd biennial, international conference: BRAIN DEVELOPMENT & LEARNING: MAKING SENSE OF THE SCIENCE July 12-15, 2008
20th Annual CHADD International Conference
November 13-15, 2008
2nd International Congress on ADHD
May 21 - 24, 2009
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult ADHD:
An Integrative Psychosocial and Medical Approach
ADHD in Adults:
What the Science Says
