[Dysfunction in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: assessment and response to treatment]

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a heterogeneous, symptomatically complex disorder. Its cardinal symptom, the presence of dysexecutive problems, emotional dysregulation of many of them and its own comorbidity, among others, will condition its clinical expression and the dysfunction. Classifying ADHD as a 'disorder' calls for an accurate assessment of the terms 'dysfunction' or 'repercussion'. The progress made in the classification and quantification of the symptoms characterising ADHD should be applied to measuring and objectifying dysfunction. Considering dysfunction as a simple interference, however clear it may be, could lead to an overestimation of the diagnosis of this disorder. Just as its estimation is essential for a diagnosis, it is also necessary for the correct evaluation of the efficacy of the therapeutic interventions, especially in the medium and long term. Further studies are needed in this sense to appraise the efficacy of the treatments, whether pharmacological or not, in different domains (social relationship, learning, self-esteem, quality of life, accidents, etc.).