ADHD is the most studied childhood psychiatric disorder. It has been researched for more than 40 years and the diagnosis is supported by a substantial body of scientific evidence. Scientific research indicates that ADHD may be related to disturbances in certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Brain imaging used in research has also detected differences in the brain structures of people with ADHD.¹ The disorder's tendency to run in families has led researchers to suspect that genetics may also play a role.²

Estimates of the number of children affected by ADHD vary; some studies indicate that between 3% and 5% of school-aged children are affected with the disorder, whereas other studies show that ADHD can occur in more than 10% of these children. Research indicates that rates of treatment fall at the lower end of that range, suggesting that many children with the disorder may go undiagnosed or untreated.³ The incidence in teenagers remains undetermined, and approximately 2% to 4% of adults have ADHD.⁴

Why Is It Important to Recognize ADHD?

	ADHD can have a profound impact on children and their families. Because of the severity and pervasiveness of the symptoms, ADHD can cause problems academically, socially, and psychologically, thereby affecting a child's self-esteem and ability to reach his or her full potential.5,6
	Studies have shown that children with ADHD who go untreated are at an increased risk of lower academic achievement, injuries, alcohol or substance abuse, and early pregnancy.7,8,9
	A recent study found that children with ADHD who received treatment for the disorder experienced an 85% reduction in the risk of substance abuse compared to those with ADHD who did not receive treatment. 10

References

1. Wilens T. Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids. New York, NY: The Guilford Press; 1999:136-137.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Available at: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter3/sec4.html. Accessed April 19, 2002.
3. Goldman LS, Genel M, Bezman RJ, Slanetz PJ. Diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. JAMA. 1998;279:1100-1107.
4. CHADD. Fact sheet: The disorder named AD/HD. Available at http://www.chadd.org/fs/fs1.htm. Accessed April 19, 2002.
5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Available at: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter3/sec4.html. Accessed April 19, 2002.
6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Available at: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter3/sec4.html. Accessed April 19, 2002.
7. National Institute of Mental Health. National Institutes of Health. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder—questions and answers. Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhdqa.cfm. Accessed April 19, 2002.
8. Dulcan M. Practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997;369(suppl):855-1215.
9. Manuzza S. Adult outcome of hyperactive boys. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1993;50:565-576.
10. Biederman J, Wilens T, Mick E, Spencer T, Faraone SV. Pharmacotherapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder reduces risk for substance use disorder. Pediatrics. 1999;104:e20.