ADHD is often associated with hyperactivity and chaos. The disorder doesn’t just have negative sides, says psychiatrist Dr. Andreas Jähne.
This interview comes from the stern archive and first appeared on February 21, 2023.
ADHD is a term known to almost everyone these days, but very few people really know what it is all about. How can you imagine the whole thing?
There are two subtypes of the disorder: ADD and ADHD. This means that the known hyperactivity is not present in some patients. ADD patients are more likely to suffer from impulsivity or constant attention. These are often people who are very imaginative. This isn’t as noticeable from the outside as the active boy who just does nonsense all the time.
You’re talking about boys…
I deliberately say boy because the dreamy subtype is more common in girls. Girls with ADD are often smart and can therefore compensate for some deficits. They also generally do well at school. Sometimes they are even underchallenged due to their quick comprehension. But because they cause few problems, they don’t get the support that, for example, the hyperactive boy who immediately attracts attention gets.
Dr. med. Andreas Jähne is a specialist in psychotherapy and psychiatry and medical director of the Oberberg Rhein-Jura Specialist Clinic and the Lörrach Day Clinic. In addition to ADHD, his research also focuses on depression and addictions.
© Felix Groteloh
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