title: Hyperactivity. Symptom complex or complex symptom?
abstract: The phenomenon of "hyperactivity" is well recognized. Results of long-term follow-up studies show that children diagnosed as "hyperactive" are at risk for severe problems during adolescence and adulthood. However, no common diagnostic criteria exist for "hyperactivity." The term can refer to a number of very different behaviors, and children diagnosed as "hyperactive" may also exhibit one or more concomitant difficulties. A "hyperactive" child should be carefully assessed to determine the nature of the behavioral problem and its source, and the term "hyperactivity" itself should be used with caution.
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D002648:Child; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006948:Hyperkinesis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000209:etiology; D010551:Personality