So, what is Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Hyperactivity refers to a child or adults inability to sit still and stay quiet. Individuals who showcase hyperactivity criteria often rush through things and tend to roughhouse in situations that are not appropriate. Inattentiveness pertains to a child or adults inability to focus their attention and stay on task. Those who showcase inattentive criteria struggle to listen well to directions and often forget where they place things. Impulsivity criteria for this disorder involves the inability to think before acting. Individuals who fit this criterion …show more content…
A diagnostic interview is conducted where individuals are asked questions pertaining both to their childhood and adulthood. The interviewer will receive a detailed history of the individual medically and behaviorally. Adults undergoing the diagnosis process also receive screening for other psychiatric disorders. It is extremely common for individuals with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to have other co-existing conditions and they can often be mistaken for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder if the symptoms are similar in both. Following the guidelines of diagnosing children, adult's family members and peers are also interviewed for a better look at the possibility for diagnosis. Behavioral rating scales, medical examinations such as physicals, and additional tests will be used throughout this process. Once the process is complete, professionals will write a report and hopefully have a diagnosis for the individual. Treatment options and further steps will be discussed once a diagnosis is …show more content…
The most common treatments are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Stimulant medications, and Combined treatment. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on an individual's perceptions of specific situations and their behavioral reactions. CBT can be beneficial for individuals with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder because it allows them to reflect and change their unacceptable behavior or thinking patterns. CBT sessions focus on scenarios that an individual has already encountered in their life and works on helping them improve their reaction's regarding that specific scenario. Earlier sessions of CBT mainly focus on the structure of the treatment itself. Individuals are educated on what CBT is, how their sessions will be structured, setting goals, and how to apply what they've learned in real life. Later sessions tend to become refined and focus on smaller details such as developing coping skills and organization skills. Most professionals providing CBT to individuals will recommend they keep a notebook to write down tips and tricks they’ve learned throughout their session, this way they can apply these ideas effectively when home or out in
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.
Department of Health, A. H. S. (n.d.). A look at attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Retrieved from
When dealing with adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD may become a challenge for many parents. Knowing the facts about this disorder and how to treat the problem is the key to a healthy lifestyle for adolescents as well as families. Many therapies and medications are available to families with children with ADHD but many questions that parents have with their children with ADHD is which therapy is best and what would work best with their children and their quality of life. The question of which therapy, alternative versus medication therapy would improve adolescent’s quality of life and behavior modification.
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 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.
Schneider H, Eisenberg D. Who receives a diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the United States elementary school population? Pediatrics. 2006;117(4):601-609.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is defined as a behavioral disorder of childhood onset (by the age of 7 years) characterized by symptoms of inattentiveness and impulsivity/hyperactivity. Based on the type of symptoms that predominate, ADHD is classified as following:
It needs to be analyzed what is the root cause of this problem and what in the last few years has caused Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit hyperactivity disorder to rapidly become one of the most frequently observed disorder among children. Children are being observed at homes, schools and various vantage points to check whether they are suffering from such a disorder. Awareness is also increasing about the disorder in order to assist the children and their fa...
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is very commonly known. Today, ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders among children. The NIMH (The national institute of mental health) predicts that it affecting 3 to 5 percent of all children(AACAP), with an approximate amount of 30% to 65% of these children experiencing persistence of symptoms into adolescence and adulthood (AACAP).There are three types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, Predominantly Inattentive Type, and Combination Type(ehow.com). The symptoms of ADHD can be classified into three main categories; hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. These behaviors can interfere with ADHD sufferers’ ability to focus deliberately on organizing and completing a specific task that they may not enjoy. A case of this kind of behavior is recognized in a report written by the National Institute of Mental Health where one of the subjects under study was unable to pass schooling examinations due to her inattentive behavior (clinicaltrials.gov) These kinds of behaviors can damage the person's relationships with others in addition to disrupting their daily life, consuming energy, and diminishing self-esteem, depending on severity of their symptoms (adhd.com). In this paper, the multiple factors of how ADHD affects, and is handled, of those who undergo this disorder, are shown.
The American heritage Dictionary defines Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as, “an attention deficit disorder in which hyperactivity is present.” Attention Deficit Disorder is defined as, “A syndrome, usually diagnosed in childhood, characterized by a persistent pattern of impulsiveness, a short attention span, and often hyperactivity, and interfering especially with academic, occupational, and social performance.” ADHD is most often diagnosed during childhood and was formerly believed to have lessened and ended as the child matured but recent studies have found that between 35 and 50 % of all cases persist into adulthood.
Elia, J., Ambrosini, P.J., Rapoport, J.L. (1999). Treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 56 pp. 530-533
The purpose of this research was to describe and understand Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the most effective treatment options that are available today. ADHD is a mental health disorder that affects 3-9% of the population in ways that, if left untreated, can wreak havoc on the mind of the sufferer. It makes concentration difficult, large tasks seem insurmountable, and causes impulsive and hyperactive tendencies. Fortunately, research and experiments have led to new and effective treatments to help those who suffer from this disorder (Dupaul 8). This research examined journal articles and internet sources on the topic to help unlock the complexities of the disorder through scientific research. It also was a way to separate the myths of the disorder from the truths, while discovering the causes, diagnosis methods, and best treatment alternatives to battle this prevalent disorder.
What Is ADHD? Did you know that approximately 6.4 million people are diagnosed with ADHD world wide. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a disease that affects the mental health of younger people mostly between the ages of 4-17 year olds. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition that's characterized by impulsive behavior, inattention, and hyperactivity. Kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have trouble with concentrating in school.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is commonly known as a condition in which one (usually in childhood) is easily distracted; unable to focus on and complete a task; has an abundance of energy or hyperactivity; impulsive in speech and actions; restless, and often times suffers from sleeplessness. The condition can show itself in any combination of the above characteristics. Although ADHD has been spoken of for years, it is a highly controversial topic. The controversy of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) takes shape with the arguments that ADHD is not a disease, the subjective testing leads to an over-diagnoses of ADHD, and the role of stimuli such as Ritalin (methylphenidate) as a treatment further fuel the criticism
Most children and teenagers (60% to 80%) who take medication become more focused, less disruptive at home as well as at school as the children have become less hyperactive and impulsive. These drugs are however,as already mentioned, are not a cure and will do nothing more than keep the symptoms under control. And Although it may not seem like so much it can all together improves a person’s daily functioning. Many parents struggle to control and help their children with the common additional co-morbid conditions found with ADHD being: cortical “wiring” problems (learning disabilities, language disabilities, severe problems with time planning), tic disorders ( these include motor and oral tics), problems regulating emotions ( including anger problems, anxiety and depression disorder, OCD and possibly bi-polar disorder too).
There has been an ongoing debate about whether the mental disorder ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is over-diagnosed. ADHD is commonly diagnosed in people, more specifically children, who lack the ability to pay attention, are often disruptive, are hyperactive, and impulsive. A medical personnel or a psychologist diagnoses the children using a list of criteria. It is only in recent years that doctors have begun researching better and more effective ways to diagnosis patients using brain scans. It is because of this, that ADHD is over-diagnosed for several reasons: the different personalities that children can exhibit; parents not taking responsibility as parents; and the lack of proper ways to identify ADHD.