WHAT IS ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders among children, affecting an estimated 3 to 5 percent of the population aged 0 to 14 years in the Philippines. Persons with ADHD suffer from a condition characterized by age-inappropriate hyperactivity, impulsivity, or poor attention span. Symptoms often are severe enough to cause impairments in academic and social functioning. In many cases, this leads to self-esteem, very poor academic performance and serious behavioural problems. Many children with the disorder will continue to have symptoms in adulthood, although the hyperactivity tends to decrease with age. ADHD affects not only the patient, but also those involved in the patient’s life.