A. Rossi , R. Pollice - Vol. 5, Giugno 1999, num.2
Testo Immagini Bibliografia Summary Riassunto Indice
Il disturbo da deficit dell'attenzione
ed iperattivitą dall'infanzia all'etą adulta
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
from infancy to adult age
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and hyperkinetic disorder are well recognised in children and adolescents, and are among the more frequently seen problems in child psychiatry. The criteria for ADHD are contained in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-IV and for the hyperkinetic disorder in the tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases, ICD-10. The core features of these disorders are hyperactivity, poor ability to mantain attention and poor impulse control, with a severe impairment on school and work performances. Until now, ADHD was rarely diagnosed in adults. However, as children treated for ADHD grow up and continue to need treatment, we are becoming more aware that adults too can suffer from ADHD. In this brief review, we provide a description of this syndrome, information on prevalence, an aetiopathogenetic hypothesis and an overview of methods to diagnose and treat ADHD in children, adolescents and adults.