Low self-esteem

Abstract

Most children with ADHD suffer from low self-esteem. Many unwanted behaviours that are seen in children with ADHD are due to problems with self-esteem. It is essential that parents and teachers recognize this before trying to treat the behaviour. This chapter discusses low self-esteem in ADHD, including self-appraisal as a function of the brain, control of the self-appraisal system in the brain, dysfunctional coping behaviours (quitting, avoiding, adverse responses to praise, tactile defensiveness, cheating, lying, clowning, regressive behaviour, school avoidance, homework avoidance, computer game and TV ‘addiction’, aggression, controlling behaviour, passive aggression, and denial), and the importance of self-esteem maintenance mechanisms.