From 3 to 7 percent of school children suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Poland.

In 60 percent of cases symptoms persist even throughout adulthood, say child development experts.

“The intensity of symptoms decreases with age but requirements of the environment also change. Even though people with attention deficit disorder are intelligent, it’s difficult for them to cope with an adult life,” Professor Tomasz Wolanczyk, Chairman of the Committee for ADHD at the Polish Psychiatric Association told Polish Radio.

“Children with ADHD usually have low self-esteem. In order to help them develop properly, whole-family therapy is necessary,” psychotherapist Dr. Malgorzata Swiecicka says.

People suffering from ADHD are usually gifted, ingenious, and have great imagination. Famous politicians, scientists and artists such as Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Salvador Dali, John Lennon, Whoopi Goldberg, Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso suffered from the disease. Among Polish celebrities affected by ADHD include Szymon Majewski, Krzysztof Skiba and Joanna Szczepkowska. (mg)