Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

1361 Words3 Pages

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

“ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is like living in a fast moving kaleidoscope where sounds, images and thoughts are constantly shifting.” (NIMH-ADHD) ADHD can be very frustrating and difficult for children. Medication and treatment are available and have been proven effective. Parents can also get frustrated and they could do something wrong. ADHD is effectively treated with medication and therapy.

There are three basic types of ADHD. They are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. (NIMH-ADHD) A child may have one, any combination of two or even all three of these types. If a child has a hard time keeping their mind on one thing or if they get bored easy they have a type of ADHD that is called inattention. If the child has hyperactivity ADHD, they are always moving, can’t sit still, and talk incessantly. They squirm in their seat or pace around the room. If the child has impulsive ADHD they are unable to think before they do something. They might run out into the street without looking, or blurt out something completely inappropriate. Parents must understand that everyone shows signs of ADHD at times, so the DMS (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) has a specific guideline for determining ADHD. (Aschenbrenner, Diane S.) Showing signs of ADHD could mean the child is suffering from chronic fear of mild seizures. If the child has problems in school it could mean one of three things. One is the child actually has ADHD. The child has trouble paying attention and may get frustrated with school. Two, the child does not have ADHD the child is just bored with the subject because of the ease of it and therefore shows signs of ADHD. Or three, the child again does not have ADHD, but is having trouble because they are just not developmentally ready for the material.

There is no direct link from ADHD to bad parenting or inadequate home-life. Although, if the child does have ADHD, good parenting and support is necessary. Bad parents only make things more difficult for both the children and the parents. Parents often ask, “What did I do wrong?” but in fact the question is often times irrelevant. Scientists have learned a lot about ADHD in the past decade. They have determined things that do not cause ADHD that people usually blame right away. They are too much televi...

... middle of paper ...

...Many people go through counseling. So kids with ADHD must make the change as gradual as possible. They should continue therapy even after they live on their own. They should talk to their doctor about continuing medication. It is very important that an ADHD child does this because it would be rough if they did not continue to seek therapy.

ADHD is a life complicating disorder. It would be easier if nobody had to suffer though this horrible disorder, but until they figure that out they do. However people with this disorder can be successfully be treated with a combination of medication and good therapy. A set of good parents helps too. People with bad parents are worse off in life in general. An ADHD child needs a lot of support in the process of growing up in order to be successful in society.

Sources Cited

About ADD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Available at: http://add.about.com

Aschenbrenner, Diane S., Drug Therapy in Nursing, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, March 2005

Attention Deficit Disorder Association, Available at: http://www.add.org

"NIMH-ADHD" Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd/complete-publication.shtml

More about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Open Document