Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a review of the essential facts

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex disorder, where both genetic and environmental influences make a substantial contribution to the risk for the disorder. One of the challenges facing clinicians is to simplify for parents the multifaceted reasons why their child may have developed ADHD, explain the associated symptoms, and encourage parents to participate in intervention. Increasing parents understanding about ADHD should make them better informed about the disorder, more likely to consent to intervention, and increase adherence to both psychosocial and pharmacological treatment. The aim of this review is to provide clinicians with a brief synopsis of our current understanding about the aetiology of ADHD, co-morbidity and associated problems, developmental course and intervention options.