Abstract
ADHD, the abbreviation for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is the name coined to describe children, adolescents, and some adults, who are inattentive, easily distracted, abnormally overactive, and impulsive in their behavior. ADHD is a neurobiological “syndrome,” not a “disease,” with a specific known cause. Many different factors have been suggested as the cause of ADHD. The treatment requires several different approaches, involving medical, neuropsychological, educational, and parental disciplines. It is a “heterogeneous” disorder.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bradley C. The behavior of children receiving Benzedrine. Am J Psychiatry. 1937;94:577–585.
Conrad P. The discovery of hyperkinesis: notes on the medicalization of deviant behavior. Soc Sci Med. 1973;7:12–21.
Conrad P, Schneider JW. Deviance and Medicalization. From Badness to Sickness. St Louis, MO: CV Mosby; 1980.
Ebaugh F. Neuropsychiatric sequelae of acute epidemic encephalitis in children. Am J Dis Child. 1923;25:89–97.
English T. The after effects of head injuries. Lancet. 1904;1:485–489.
Hoffman H. Fidgety Philip. In: The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. 2nd ed., London: Oxford University Press; 1955.
Hohman LB. Post-encephalitic behavior disorders in children. Johns Hopkins HospBull. 1922;380:372–375.
Kahn E, Cohen L. Organic drivenness: A brain stem syndrome and experience. N Engl J Med. 1934;210:748–756.
Landgren M, Kjellman B, Gillberg C. Deficits in attention, motor control and perception (DAMP): a simplified school entry examination. Acta Paediatr. 2000;89:302–309.
Leahly S, Sands I. Mental disturbances in children following epidemic encephalitis. J Am Med Assoc. 1921;76:373.
Levy F et al. ADHD as a continuum, not a discrete entity. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997;36:737–744.
Psychiatric Association (APA). Diagnostic American and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed, Washington, DC: APA; 1994.
Rutter M, Tizard J, Whitmore K.. Education, Health and Behavior. London: Longman; 1970.
Still GF. Some abnormal physical conditions in children. Lancet. 1902;1:1008–1012, 1077–1082, 1163–1168.
Strecker E, Ebaugh F. Neuropsychiatric sequelae of cerebral trauma in children. Arch Neurol Psychiatry. 1924;12:443–453.
Wolraich ML et al. Comparison of diagnostic criteria for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in a county-wide sample. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1996;35:319–324.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Millichap, J.G. (2010). Definition and History of ADHD. In: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Handbook. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1397-5_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1397-5_1
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1396-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1397-5
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)