ADHD in adults and children

In this essay, the author

• Explains that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is the most frequently diagnosed neurobehavioral disorder in children and young adults. they state the definition of adhd according to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.
• Explains that the dsm-5 describes adhd as a disorder characterized by constant inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity appearing in numerous situations more frequently and severely than is usual for individuals in the same developmental stage.
• Explains that adhd is a multidimensional disability that manifests in subgroups or comorbid with other disabilities like conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder.

• Explains that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is the most frequently diagnosed neurobehavioral disorder in children and young adults. they state the definition of adhd according to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.
• Explains that the dsm-5 describes adhd as a disorder characterized by constant inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity appearing in numerous situations more frequently and severely than is usual for individuals in the same developmental stage.
• Explains that adhd is a multidimensional disability that manifests in subgroups or comorbid with other disabilities like conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder.
• Explains that although many studies show a genetic component in the development of adhd, there have been no adoption studies with monozygotic twins reared apart.
• Explains that heritability studies only show the genetic involvement in a condition, not which particular genes are involved. this could explain the co-occurrence of other difficulties like cd or odd.
• Explains the methodology of micro genetic studies. geneticists look at the dna of two groups, participants with and without adhd, and compare this ‘candidate gene(s)’ link to adhd.
• Explains that there are approximately 20,000 to 25,000 protein coding genes, and since adhd is polygenic, it is hard to define which particular genes cause the disability.
• Explains that a genetic account of adhd comes from domschke, sheehan, lowe, kirley, mullins, o'sullivan, freitag, becker, conroy & fitzgerald.
• Explains that pharmacological treatment studies showed real improvement of adhd patients after a maoi was administered, which might explain why many people with adhd find it hard to quit smoking.
• Explains that the 7 repeat allele of the dopamine receptor d4 (drd4), which is associated with hyperactivity and poor behavioral inhibition, is often replicated in adhd genetic studies.
• Analyzes how williams and taylor suggested an evolutionary model based on the drd4-7 repeat allele. hartman argues that these sub-traits of adhd were of great use in earlier times or in more desperate environments but are counter productive in modern ‘class room like’ environments.
• Explains that the ariaal tribe in kenya was tested for the drd4-7r allele, which enabled hunters to cope better with unsafe or resource-scarce environments.
• Argues that cooperation and communication were more important for survival in early hominid groups than impulsive unpredictable behavior, which would have put the whole group in danger.
• Argues that some individuals in society have become successful despite or as the researchers claim due to being diagnosed with adhd. goldstein (2007) opposes the idea of any beneficial effects of adhd and claims that the society has to recognize it as an impairing disability.
• Explains that adhd is a complex disorder, which can be exacerbated or ameliorated by many different factors. the contradicting findings suggest that it is genetically complex and more molecular genetic studies are necessary.