Clinical Depression: The Overlooked and Insidious Nemesis Plaguing ADHD Children

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are in constant misdirected motion, unable to concentrate and complete assigned tasks, and behave impulsively. Their poor-self control frequently interferes with classroom learning and hinders their ability to relate to parents, teachers, and peers. Continued failure and criticism from those around them often has a profoundly negative impact on the ADHD child's self-concept. As a result, the child's internal disposition becomes one of hopelessness. Rather than anticipating and planning for success, ADHD children anticipate failure, believing there is little they can do to control their destiny. Many ADHD children become markedly despondent as they move from one developmental stage to the next. They engage in various forms of oppositional behavior believing they simply can not succeed. In short, they have given up. In order to alter this course, ADHD children must learn to replace hopelessness with hopefulness. The insidious and often unrecognized depression blocking this transition must be addressed. The purpose of this book is to provide parents, educators, and mental health professionals with a conceptual and practical framework for identifying and correcting this emotional virus, which can undermine even the most well-designed and implemented therapeutic and educational program.