Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder that exhibits itself along with symptoms such as excessive activity, attention issues and impulsiveness. The main attribute of this disorder is the permanent and lasting shortness of the attention span, as well as the recklessness and uneasiness emergent in the actions and the mind due to the lack of control intended for prohibition. The person has difficulty concentrating and organizing his tasks, is forgetful and scattered, loses concentration with a simple stimulant, avoids tasks requiring attention, often makes simple careless mistakes, and is much more mobile and impulsive compared to what is expected of his age and social status.

This disorder is seen in 5-7% of youth. ADHD is genetically highly heritable and exhibits itself as a result of the interaction of environmental factors with the genetically inherited neurobiological properties.

ADHD starts at early childhood and is often diagnosed during the primary school period. Of those diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, most continue to show the symptoms during puberty and adulthood.

A test for ADHD should be considered when the behavior of a child differs continuously for 6 months from that of other children of the same sex, age and at the same behavioral state. It is imperative that this behavior exhibits itself before 7 years of age and that the behavior is inhibitive of daily tasks both at school and at home. In addition, it must be made certain that there is no sickness or social factor that could cause this behavior. The first condition for the successful treatment of this disorder is a close cooperation between the school, family and the doctor. Treatment includes informing the parents, behavioral control methods to be employed at home and in school, personal psychotherapy of the child and medication.