Early detection of ADHD could relieve long term consequences

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is both a major cause of poor mental health during childhood and one of the biggest risk factors for underachievement, criminality and psychiatric illness in later life. Parents of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) type difficulties are being invited take part in an innovative research project funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) which aims to develop new and assess existing intervention programmes to improve the quality of life for children and their families and reduce the long term burden associated with the condition. Professor David Daley, principal investigator for COPPI in the Division of Psychiatry at The University of Nottingham's Institute of Mental Health , said: "Childhood ADHD and other behaviour disorders represent a major long-term burden to children, families and the community at large. Children with ADHD produce higher costs in educational and health sectors through more with emergency services, outpatient clinics and health care providers. Early identification and treatment may help reduce the cost and burden to their own families as well as society and represent a promising therapeutic approach for ADHD." Enhancing child mental health provides a platform for well-being in later life. If the programme is successful it is hoped it can be implemented nationally leading to substantial savings for the NHS and improvement in the wellbeing of children and the quality of life experienced by their families.