1. a condition characterized by excessive physical movement, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating, especially in children; now often called attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Usage: medical/clinical term; somewhat dated; ADHD is the more current diagnostic term

Examples

• The child was diagnosed with hyperkinesis after showing persistent difficulty sitting still in class.
• Teachers noticed signs of hyperkinesis in several students who struggled to focus on assignments.
• Hyperkinesis often appears alongside learning difficulties in school-age children.
• The pediatrician evaluated the boy for hyperkinesis based on his parents' reports of constant fidgeting.
• Modern diagnostic manuals have largely replaced the term hyperkinesis with ADHD.
• Hyperkinesis can affect a child's academic performance and social interactions with peers.