Pr Nader PERROUD
Full Professor,

Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, UNIGE
Médecin-chef, Institutional Care Unit, HUG

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is still the subject of many misconceptions, which contribute to stigma and often inadequate care for those affected. Long considered a disorder exclusive to children, it is now recognized as a persistent neurodevelopmental condition, whose manifestations—impulsivity, difficulties with emotional regulation, and attention deficits—evolve and change throughout life.

In his lecture, Nader Perroud will offer a detailed and nuanced perspective on adult ADHD, distinguishing between well-established knowledge and unfounded beliefs. He will address the most widespread myths—including the idea that ADHD is simply a matter of willpower, a diagnostic trend, or even a trait shared by “everyone”—and contrast them with the clinical and scientific realities derived from decades of research. By putting current data into perspective, he will demonstrate how these misconceptions hinder understanding of the disorder and delay access to care, even though effective therapeutic approaches—both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic—exist. This lecture is intended for both healthcare professionals and the general public, and will provide a valuable opportunity to better understand a condition that is still too often misidentified.

Biography

Nader Perroud studied medicine at UNIGE and went on to complete training in psychiatry and psychotherapy. He earned his doctorate in 2006 and became a board-certified specialist in 2008. He has a particular interest in psychiatric conditions characterized by difficulties in managing emotions, and took over as head of the Emotional Regulation Disorders Unit at the HUG in 2017. His clinical expertise focuses on the care of individuals with difficulties in managing emotions, particularly those with borderline personality disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He has implemented specific psychotherapeutic approaches, including dialectical behavior therapy and mentalization-based therapy. He is committed to teaching these approaches at all levels, including in continuing education settings.

Nader Perroud focuses his research on borderline personality disorder, ADHD, and the mechanisms involved in emotion regulation. His recent work has focused on gaining a better understanding of the psychotherapeutic factors that promote improved emotional regulation. He has also worked on developing a smartphone app for people with borderline personality disorder and, in 2021, secured European funding to assess emotional variation using connected devices. In September 2024, he chaired the 8th International French-Language Symposium on ADHD in Geneva and received the 2025 Recognition Award from the Geneva Convention Bureau. Appointed as a Privat-docent in 2011, he became an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Faculty of Medicine in 2019 and a full professor in December 2024.

All information can be found on the event page – Faculty of Medecine