Publisher's Synopsis
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects a large number of children, adolescents, and adults and accounts for the largest number of outpatient visits to mental health facilities for children. Yet the definitional boundaries, the causes, and the treatments for this disorder remain controversial. Increased awareness has led to a virtual epidemic of overdiagnosis of the disorder and extreme pressure on the resources of schools and health care facilities. Dr. Conners addresses the neurobiological and psychosocial underpinnings of the disorder, its true prevalence, and the scientifically established effective treatments. He goes on to present the genetic, temperamental, medical, metabolic, nutritional, and environmental risk factors for ADHD and describe basic principles of pharmacologic and behavioral interventions. He reviews classes of drugs, their dosages, cognitive and behavioral effects, and side-effects. Finally, he discusses characteristic differences in the later course of the disorder among adolescents and adults.
