Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, more commonly known as ADD or ADHD, has become much more common recently. As of 1994 the DSM-IV stated that about 3%-5% of American school aged children have this disorder. While it is quite a few children, what I find to be even more interesting are the male-to-female ratios within the disorder. They range from 4:1 to 9:1. According to Wade, Carol &Travis (2000), boys make up 80 to 90 percent of all ADHD cases. What I've looked into finding out is why there is such a gender difference. I wanted to know if it was because the way society raises girls, or are boys really at a higher risk for it.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder that displays as distracted, hyperactive, and unable to focus on tasks and activities. Also known as Hyperkinetic Impulse Disorder, Hyperkinesis, Hyperactive Syndrome, Minimal Brain Damage, Minimal Brain Dysfunction, and Undifferentiated Deficit Disorder, ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed neurological disorder in children. Although many children with ADHD are quite intelligent, their lack of focus can frequently lead to poor grades and a low self esteem. The exact cause of ADHD is still unknown, but it is considered highly inheritable. Results from numerous international studies on twins have found that ADHD may have a genetic link. The occurrence of ADHD in one twin is more often mirrored an identical twin who has the same genetic makeup, then in a fraternal twin whose genetics are similar but not identical. It is also believed that if a parent, uncle, or grandparent had ADHD, it is more likely their family may develop it as well. No gene has been discovered that directly relates to the disorder. MRI studies comparing the brains of children with and without the condition have shown that children with ADHD have weaker brain activity in the frontal area of the brain when responding to tasks that require inhibition. Because of this, it is thought that ADHD affects certain sections of the frontal cortex, parietal lobe, and possibly parts of the cerebellum.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a common thing in many homes, schools, and work areas. It is a disorder that makes focusing and sitting still impossible. Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder can be classified into three major symptoms. The first symptom is Hyperactivity. It causes rapid movement and the inability to sit still. The second major symptom is Inattention. This causes you to have trouble paying attention to things and can even make it hard to complete task. The last symptom is Impulsivity. This usually consist of blurting out, crossing the street without looking, and making decision that you don’t completely analyze. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can make a person’s everyday life more difficult, but this does not only apply to the one diagnosed. Living with someone with ADHD or even being friends with someone with ADHD can have an effect on a person’s life. From the patients impulsive actions, all the way to their inability to pay attention to what someone is saying can affect everyone around them. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder does have a temporary cure though. Stimulants like Adderall and Vyvanse all the way to exercise. Although some medicines have great benefits, a lot of them are greatly outweighed with negative side effects.

“ ADHD, a disorder beginning in childhood, characterized by a persistent inability to sit still, focus attention on specific tasks, and control impulses,” contributed by Michael Woods to Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common mental disorders of childhood. Many children grow out of ADHD by adolescent or adult years, but many do not. Studies show ADHD in adulthood is more severe and may cause long term effects. Diagnosing ADHD is very difficult, because most children are inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive at least some of the time.

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is the most common childhood disorder. Although it mostly affects children, it affects adolescent and adults as well. There are three types of ADHD which are defined by the symptoms that are the most significant. Predominantly Inattentive Type is when the person finds it very difficult to organize or finish a task ( “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” 2014). They find it hard to pay attention to details and find it difficult to follow instructions or conversations. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type is when the person finds it hard to keep still and talk a lot. They have difficulty waiting their turn and find it hard to listen to directions. A person with this type of ADHD will have more accidents than others. Combined Type is when a person has six or more symptoms of inattention and six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present (“What is ADHD?,” 2013). Most children have the combined type of ADHD.

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. ADHD has been a recognized disorder for over 50 years. There are three different types of ADHD. The disorder affects both males and females. ADHD does not affect intellectual ability, individuals with this disorder are just as smart as others.

Attention Deficit Disorder Attention Deficit Disorder otherwise known as ADD is a condition that refers to an individual’s inability to control their own behavior or impulse(McEwan 70). This can begin in early childhood and interfere with children’s ability to do well in school and social situations. These patients also have troubles blocking out noise or other stimuli in order to focus on a task or what is being said. ADD is a chronic problem that can be seen as early as infancy and can extend to adulthood. There are two types of Attention Deficit Disorder.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD (ADHD) is a disorder that affects many functions that your brain provides. ADD and ADHD are the names that you would know this adolescent by. Although people with ADD/ADHD have a harder time concentrating and focusing in school and as they move on in life, through education, medications and other treatments, children with ADD, can overcome some of the symptoms of this adolescent and live to their fullest potential. In Thomas Brown’s book on ADD, he described it as, “ADD is a complex disorder that involves impairments in focus, organization, motivation, emotional modulation, and other functions of the brains management.” (20)

The current diagnostic criterion for ADHD primarily focuses on significant hyperactivity and inattention. Aside from those two, in order for a child to be diagnosed with ADHD the DSM-IV says symptoms must show begin to show before the age of seven, show impairment in two or more settings, the impairment must be clinically significant or affect academic functioning, and the symptoms cannot be explained by another mental disorder (Weis, 2008). Since children may show symptoms of ADHD, but some symptoms may not be as significant as others, the DSM-IV classifies three subtypes of ADHD that are used for diagnosing patients (Mattox, 2007). The first type is ADHD Combined Type (ADHD/C). Children diagnosed with this type show definite hyperactivity and impulsivity, as well as inattentiveness. The other two subtypes are ADHD Predominately Hyperactive-Impulsive (ADHD/HI) and ADHD Predominately Inattentive Type (ADHD/I). When children are diagnosed with one of these, they show a greater amount of symptoms regarding either hyperactivity or inattention but not both. Therefore, it is possible for children to be diagnosed with ADHD and show very minimal signs of hyperactivity. Weis (2008) suggests that children like this are described as having a sluggish cognitive tempo. In ot...

First, there are two different types of ADHD. An individual can be diagnosed with hyperactivity or impulsivity. Those with hyperactivity cannot sit still, talk excessively, and always act as if they are “on the go (intuniv, 2013). If diagnosed with impulsivity symptoms are blurting out words, have a hard time waiting on others and interrupt others regularly. These symptoms make you think of an undisciplined child and are not ones that will make you think of a disease. This disorder can go undetected for quite some time and that can cause unnecessary stress to an individual’s everyday life.