ADHD kids at four-fold risk of subsequent mental problems

Children with ADHD are four times more likely than average children to suffer mental problems in later life.

A new study has revealed that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are four times more likely than average children to suffer mental problems in later life.

The researchers said that ADHD is a physical disease and not just an extreme form of bad behaviour.

Professor Eric Taylor of the Institute of Psychiatry in London told the British Association of Science that bad parenting was not the cause of ADHD, although a chaotic lifestyle could be a trigger for the pattern of bad behaviour typifying ADHD, which he described as being impulsive, inattentive, disorganised and emotionally volatile.

He also said that ignoring the problem could have serious repercussions and ADHD sufferers were four times more likely to suffer mental illness like manic depression, and engage in anti-social behaviour.

"Brain scans show that people with ADHD have less development of the right frontal lobe, parts of the cerebellum, and the basal ganglia. It's not a problem that depends on the society; the Chinese and South Africans have reported it," The Telegraph quoted Taylor as saying.

ADHD, however, is not a purely negative condition, added Taylor. "Billy Connolly has identified himself as having it, so has Robin Williams," he said.