Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), more commonly referred to as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), has only recently come to notice of scientists. It affects 3.5 million people under the age of 18 and 5 million people over the age of 18. Its current cause of existence is due to defects at neurotransmitter sites, rendering patients inattentive and impulsive. However, every year more progress is made in locating the cause and finding more effective treatments. ADHD's first diagnosis was made in 1902 by Dr. George Still. He observed 20 children who were inattentive, impulsive, hyperactive, and showed mood swings. He initially attributed their behavior to mild brain damage. By 1917 ADHD or constantly active was still thought to have this cause. At this time, viral encephalitis seemed to be linked to the disease because, after being infected, children had impaired attention, memory, and impulse control. In 1937 ADHD was known as minimal brain dysfunction and began to be treated with amphetamines, which made children with the disorder much calmer.

The Diagnostical and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV, the classification manual that all psychologists and psychiatrists use in the United States) has cumulated all the various behaviors of children with ADHD and listed 9 trademark symptoms of ADHD:

1. Often has difficulty awaiting turn

2. Interrupts or intrudes on others

3. Blurts out answers before questions have been completed

4. Has Difficulty playing or engaging in leisurely activities quietly

5. Cannot remain seated for small to moderate periods of time

6. Runs or climbs about at times

7. Fidgets or squirms

8. Talks excessively

9. Is often on the go

lookarea-- some who have ADHD but are not diagnosed or so at the developmental history of the child as well as his/her current behavior. This eliminates other maladaptive behaviors, such as conduct disorder.

The most popular method of diagnosis of ADHD is the Attention Deficit Disorder Behavior Rating Scale (ADDBR, just a little, pretty much, or very). In this scale observers rate children's behavior (i.e. the presence of fidgeting)on the basis of"not at all", "just a little", "pretty much", or "very much". The results are then compared with the nation's norms to indicate whether or not a disorder exists in the child. The criticism of ADDBR is its lack or rigidity. There are no set cutoffs between each level, therefore there is much left up to the observer's discretion.