Living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Much of the extensive body of research into ADHD has concentrated on understanding the aetiology of the disorder. Additional research has focused on issues of diagnosis and assessment, and treatment interventions. However, despite the wealth of research into ADHD, little is known about the individual experiences of those directly affected by the disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate issues of importance for children with ADHD and their parents, with the aim of contributing to the small but growing body of knowledge about the experiences of those affected by the disorder. Nine boys, aged between eight and eleven years, their mothers and one father agreed to participate in the study. In-depth interviews, following a semi-structured format, were held with each participant. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a grounded theory approach. Data analysis revealed the importance of three core categories for both children and adults; difference, battles and adjusting. For adults alone, a fourth core category of blame emerged as important. These categories were developed into a theoretical model around the issue of understanding ADHD, in which parents reported that their views of ADHD as a biological condition differed from others' sociological views of the condition. These issues were discussed in terms of the origins of parents' and children's perceptions of these differing views. Clinical implications included (1) the need to integrate biological and sociological explanations if blame and battles are to be avoided; (2) the need for clear and unambiguous explanations about the nature and causes of ADHD. Research implications included the need for further research into the processes of diagnosing ADHD, and the need for further research into fathers' understanding of the condition