HYPERACTIVITY

Abstract

Histories of hyperactive symptoms were evaluated for 2 samples of young men and women under treatment for drug abuse or psychiatric disorders. More than 1 in 5 had shown hyperactivity but almost all of these developed pictures of other psychiatric problems, frequently the antisocial personality, by late adolescence. This reflected inaccurate use of hyperactive labels in difficult-to-handle children. The potential consequences of these practices were discussed.