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Psychology vocabulary · Mental Health Conditions

ADHD

Meaning in psychology, with examples

/ˌeɪ diː eɪtʃ ˈdiː/abbreviationCore term

In psychology, ADHD means: Short for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, a neurodevelopmental condition with persistent inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that affect daily life.

In Turkish: dikkat eksikliği ve hiperaktivite bozukluğu, DEHB

How it is used

Diagnosed in both children and adults. DSM-5 describes three presentations: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive and combined. Assessment uses interviews and rating scales completed by parents, teachers or the person.

Example sentences

  1. Many adults seek an ADHD assessment after one of their children is diagnosed.

  2. His teachers completed an ADHD rating scale before the clinic appointment.

Common collocations

  • ADHD assessment
  • diagnosed with ADHD
  • adult ADHD
  • ADHD symptoms
  • attentionThe ability to focus mental resources on some information while ignoring the rest, for example following one conversation in a noisy room.
  • executive functionA set of higher mental skills, such as planning, holding back impulses, switching between tasks and updating working memory, that let us control and organise behaviour towards goals.
  • autism spectrum disorderA neurodevelopmental condition with lasting differences in social communication and interaction, together with restricted or repetitive behaviours, interests or sensory responses.
  • diagnosisThe process of identifying which mental or physical condition explains a person's difficulties, or the name of the condition that is identified.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Mental Health Conditions

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.