European clinical guidelines for hyperkinetic disorder -: first upgrade

Background. The validity of clinical guidelines changes over time, because new evidencebased knowledge and experience develop. Objective. Hence, the European clinical guidelines on hyperkinetic disorder from 1998 had to be evaluated and modified. Method. Discussions at the European Network for Hyperkinetic Disorders (EUNETHYDIS) and iterative critique of each clinical analysis. Guided by evidence-based information and based on evaluation (rather than metaanalysis) of the scientific evidence a group of child psychiatrists and psychologists from several European countries updated the guidelines of 1998. When reliable information is lacking the group gives a clinical consensus when it could be found among themselves. Results. The group presents here a set of recommendations for the conceptualisation and management of hyperkinetic disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Conclusion. A general scheme for practice in Europe could be provided, on behalf of the European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (ESCAP).