About ADHD
ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) affects attention, impulsivity and activity in children and adults. Diagnosis requires a thorough assessment, often by a psychiatrist, neuropsychologist or specialised psychologist. Treatment may include psychoeducation, behavioural strategies, support at school or work and, if appropriate, medication.
Educational therapists (psychopedagogues) support children, teenagers and adults with learning difficulties such as dyslexia or attention problems, study techniques and school guidance, in coordination with families and schools.
Getting mental health care in Madagascar
Public health system · Ministère de la Santé publique
Public psychiatric services exist at the university hospitals (CHU) of the six former provinces, including the psychiatry department of CHU Joseph Raseta Befelatanana in Antananarivo; mental health prevention and diagnosis centres exist only in Antsirabe, Ambositra and Manakara. The country has very few psychiatrists (a few dozen) and only one psychologist employed by the state. Many patients first see traditional healers, which delays care. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Ordre national des psychologues de Madagascar (ONPM). Psychologists have a national professional order, the ONPM. Ask the psychologist whether they are a member.
- Ordre national des médecins de Madagascar. Doctors, including psychiatrists, belong to the Ordre national des médecins, which oversees medical ethics. Ask for the doctor's order registration.
Urgent help in Madagascar
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 117 · Police secours (depuis un mobile)
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, newsmada.com, lexpress.mg, newsmada.com
Signs to look out for
Everyone gets distracted at times. ADHD may be worth assessing when difficulties with attention, organisation, impulsivity or restlessness have been present since childhood, appear in different settings such as school, work and home, and cause real problems: unfinished tasks, frequent lost items, forgetting appointments, acting without thinking, or feeling constantly restless. In adults it is often unrecognised for years.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Diagnosis requires a careful assessment by a qualified professional, such as a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, neuropsychologist or paediatrician, depending on age and country. Treatment may combine psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for organisation and emotional regulation, parent training for children, school adaptations, and medication prescribed and monitored by a doctor when appropriate. Educational psychologists and psychopedagogues support learning.
When to seek urgent help
ADHD itself is not an emergency, but impulsivity can increase risks. Contact your local emergency services after a serious accident or injury, or if someone has thoughts of suicide or harming others. Seek prompt medical advice for any worrying side effects of medication, such as chest pain or palpitations, and do not change medication without talking to the prescribing doctor.
What you can do in the meantime
External structure helps: use calendars, alarms, lists and visible reminders, and break tasks into small steps with short breaks. Regular sleep, physical activity and meals support attention. Reduce distractions in your work or study space. For children, clear routines, specific praise and calm, consistent limits help. Look for reliable information from health organisations rather than social media alone.
What does a educational therapist do?
An educational therapist, known in Spanish as a psicopedagogo, helps children, teenagers and adults learn more effectively. Day to day they identify how a person learns, assess difficulties with reading, writing, maths, organisation or study skills, and design practical intervention plans. They work individually with students and coordinate closely with families and schools, adapting materials and strategies to each learner.
When to see a educational therapist
It can help when a student works hard but grades do not reflect it, struggles with reading or writing, finds it hard to organise or plan, needs support after a diagnosis such as dyslexia or ADHD, or is changing school stage. If there are significant emotional or behavioural problems, or a formal psychological diagnosis is needed, an educational or clinical psychologist should be involved.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Madagascar cover psychological care?
Public psychiatric services exist at the university hospitals (CHU) of the six former provinces, including the psychiatry department of CHU Joseph Raseta Befelatanana in Antananarivo; mental health prevention and diagnosis centres exist only in Antsirabe, Ambositra and Manakara. The country has very few psychiatrists (a few dozen) and only one psychologist employed by the state. Many patients first see traditional healers, which delays care.
How do I check that a educational therapist is licensed in Madagascar?
Ordre national des psychologues de Madagascar (ONPM): Psychologists have a national professional order, the ONPM. Ask the psychologist whether they are a member.