Sindrom poremećaja pozornosti s hiperaktivnošću ili bez nje je neurobiološki poremećaj karakteriziran trijasom simptoma: hiperkinezom, poremećajem pozornosti i impulzivnošću uz sekundarne simptome: poremećajem učenja, smetnjama ponašanja i nedostatkom samopoštovanja. Vrlo često prisutni su i blaži neurološki simptomi. Etiologija poremećaja je nepoznata, no najvjerojatnije je riječ o više bioloških i psihosocijalnih uzroka. Prevalencija se kreće od 3-10% djece školske dobi. Poremećaj je češći u dječaka nego u djevojčica, kako u kliničkom (9:1) tako i u epidemiološkom uzorku (4:1). Veliki problem u djece i adolescenata s poremećajem pozornosti/hiperaktivnosti je komorbiditet, jer čak dvije trećine djece imaju barem još jedan dijagnosticirani psihijatrijski poremećaj, najčešće onaj ponašanja, opozicijsko-prkosni i poremećaj učenja, ali i poremećaje govora i komunikacije, anksiozni poremećaj, poremećaj raspoloženja, Tourettov sindrom ili tikove. Komorbiditet je značajan, jer komplicira dijagnostički proces i ima uvelike utječe na tijek, prognozu i terapiju. Tretman hiperkinetskog poremećaja je višedimenzionalan i kombinira psihosocijalne i farmakološke intervencije, pa se mora započeti što ranije. Uz kognitivno-bihevioralni tretman medikamentozno liječenje danas zauzima značajno mjesto u terapiji.Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological disorder characterized with three core symptoms: hyperkinesis, attention deficit and impulsivity and secondary symptoms like learning disorders, behavioural disturbances and low self esteem. Soft neurological signs are very often present. The aetiology of the disorder is not yet well known and there are probably more neurobiological and psychosocial aetiological factors. The prevalence is 3-10% of school-age children. There is a greater incidence in boys than in girls with the ratio 9:1 in clinical, and 4:1 in epidemiological samples. Comorbidity is a major problem among children with ADHD, and two thirds of them have at least one more diagnosed psychiatric disorder, most often a conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and learning disorder, but also disorders of speech and communication, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, tic disorders such as Sy Tourette s. Comorbidity is very important because it makes the diagnostic process more complicated, and has implications for the course, prognosis and treatment. Treatment of ADHD is multidimensional and combines psychosocial and pharmacological interventions, and it should start as early as possible. Today, cognitive behavioural treatment and drug treatment are most important in therapy
