What is ADHD? A definition to help you understand it all
ADHD, Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity, is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents. Yet it is often poorly understood, misdiagnosed and inadequately supported. Here is a precise and accessible definition to help you understand this disorder.
ADHD: a disorder of attention and impulse control
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder of neurological origin that mainly affects three areas: attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. A child with ADHD is not unable to concentrate in absolute terms: they can focus intensely on activities that fascinate them, which is what we call hyperfocus. However, sustaining attention on repetitive, unstimulating tasks or tasks imposed by others is particularly difficult for their brain. This is not a lack of willpower: it is a neurological difference in the way the attentional regulation circuits function.
ADD and ADHD: what is the difference?
ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder without Hyperactivity, is a form of the disorder in which motor hyperactivity is absent or very subtle. A child with ADD mainly experiences attentional difficulties: they are easily distracted, struggle to maintain their concentration, often forget instructions and belongings, but they are not physically restless. This form is often less noticeable than ADHD with hyperactivity and is therefore more often diagnosed late, particularly in girls, who frequently present with this profile.
The three clinical presentations of ADHD
The DSM-5 distinguishes three clinical presentations of ADHD. The predominantly inattentive presentation, often referred to as ADD, where attentional difficulties predominate without significant hyperactivity. The predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, where physical restlessness and impulsivity predominate with relatively preserved attention. And the combined presentation, which combines both dimensions and is the most common in clinical practice.
How many people are affected?
ADHD affects around 5 to 7% of school-age children and 2 to 5% of adults, as the disorder persists into adulthood in around 60% of children who are diagnosed. It is more often diagnosed in boys than in girls, but this difference is partly explained by the fact that girls more often present with the inattentive form, which is less visible and therefore less often diagnosed.
Can ADHD be cured?
ADHD cannot be cured in the strict sense: it is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder. However, it can be managed very effectively with the right therapeutic approaches. A combination of medication monitoring when indicated, psychological support and suitable school adjustments enables the great majority of people with ADHD to lead fulfilling lives. To understand the full range of DYS disorders and the resources available, lesdys.fr offers comprehensive guides for families.
