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There are at least two million children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the United States (Moragne 24). All around us, ADHD causes clever children and adults to under function at school or work. ADHD needs to be taken seriously. People need to be aware of what ADHD is, what some of the characteristics and symptoms are, what some of the probable causes are, and some ways it can be treated.
ADHD is one of the most common childhood behaviors. The prognosis for ADHD can be alarming if not treated. ADHD must be recognized and treated properly. If this does not happen, it will continue to severely disadvantage children and adults.
The best time to diagnose and give support is early. Poorly managed ADHD can lead to serious long-term problems such as feeling dumb, low self-esteem, academic failure and more. There are different types of ADHD with a variety of characteristics. No one has all the same symptoms or displays the disorder in the exact same way. ADHD is diagnosed ten times more frequently in boys than girls (Discovery). Many girls have the predominantly inattentive type of the disorder and are likely not being identified and diagnosed (Green 6).
ADHD is a developmental disorder characterized by inappropriate degrees of inattention, over activity, and impulsivity. It is a disorder causing excessive activity level, excessive destructibility, and excessive responsiveness and emotional reactions. ADHD is also a lifelong disorder. It generally continues into adolescence, and sometimes even into adulthood. However, the symptoms may change as the person matures. The challenging behaviors that are exhibited by children with ADHD stem from their physiological, neurobiological disorder.
The inappropriate and dangerous behaviors they may display are generally not willful or deliberate (Moragne 26). The diagnosis of ADHD is complex. There are a number of other medical, learning, psychiatric, and social problems that can cause inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive behaviors. To make an accurate and complete diagnosis, these other possible causes which produce symptoms that mimic ADHD need to be considered and ruled out. It is possible that ADHD is only one part of the diagnostic picture, and that in addition to ADHD there are other coexisting disorders involved.
This is, in fact, very common. There is a high rate of comorbidity with ADHD. This means that all of the coexisting problems / disorders need to be identified in order to provide proper treatment. Dr. Christopher Green, a specialist pediatrician, has studied many cases involving ADHD and works with children who have ADHD. In his book Understanding ADHD, he mentions what some of the ADHD look-alikes may be.
For example intellectual disabilities, hearing impaired, depression, autism, learning disabilities, epilepsy, brain injury, speech, and language disorders, even family dysfunction. Children and teens with ADHD have limited ability to inhibit their responses and control behavior. Although any one of these behaviors is normal in children at different ages to a certain degree, with ADHD the behaviors far exceed that which is normal. Wendy Moragne, author of Attention Deficit Disorder, explains that The behaviors that characterize ADHD fall into three main categories: inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. Those with ADHD will exhibit many of the following characteristics and symptoms in each category, if not all of them.
The symptoms of inattention can include failure to pay close attention to details or make careless mistakes, does not complete tasks. Has difficulty paying attention when spoken to, is easily distracted and / or forgetful. A person with ADHD may also have difficulty being organized or may have a hard time following several instructions at a time (Yahoo). Impulsivity may include blurting out answers, and talking excessively. Has difficulty raising hand, awaiting turn, or begins tasks without waiting for directions. Other symptoms may include interrupting or intruding on others, and disruptive behavior.
The symptoms for hyperactivity may include constant motion such as fidgeting or squirming. A person may also have a difficult time doing tasks quietly. Another symptom includes being highly energetic. Some other symptoms that do not fall into any of these categories may include problems sleeping, or having low self-esteem. May be a social outcast, or have difficulty relating to others. The ADHD person may also be easily angered or frustrated, moody and irritable (Yahoo).
DHD has been researched extensively in the United States. There have been literally thousands of well designed and controlled scientific studies trying to determine the causes and most effective treatment for children, teens, and adults. The causes of ADHD are not fully known or understood. However, based on the enormous amount of research, there are many thoughts and opinions about most of the probable causes. Heredity is the most common cause based on the evidence.
It is believed that what is inherited is a genetic predisposition to the disorder. A child with ADHD will frequently have a parent, sibling, grandparent, or other family member who had similar school histories and behaviors during their childhood. It has been found that trauma or brain injury to the developing fetus or infant can be a cause of ADHD. This might include exposure to alcohol, tobacco, high levels of lead, or complications during birth (Yahoo). Another probable cause is believed to be that there is a deficiency or inefficiency of brain chemical (neurotransmitters) in the part of the brain (frontal lobe) that is responsible for attention, inhibiting impulses, and behavior (Green 5).
In Dr. Greens book, he also talks about the types of medications and the effects of them. Stimulant medications are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD, and generally the first choice of physicians in treating children with ADHD. Stimulant medications have been used for children and studied for around fifty years. It is suspected that these stimulant medications increase the production of neurotransmitters in the brain to a more normalized level.
This enables the child to better focus attention, and regulate his or her activity level and impulsive behaviors. These medications include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and pe moline (Cylert). Ritalin and Dexedrine are said to have similar effects. The stimulants are absorbed quickly even on a full stomach and reach a fairly constant level in the blood (145). The stimulants start working in about thirty minutes after consumption. The medication begins to wear off about three to five hours after consumption.
Though in theory, Dexedrine remains active a little longer than Ritalin. Cylert may be used if Ritalin or Dexedrine is not successful for a childs. Cylert, however, requires careful monitoring of the liver functioning through blood tests (145). For approximately seventy to eighty percent of children treated with stimulant medication, symptoms improve to various degrees (Moragne 48). Though stimulants have been used in ADHD children for over half a century, there is no evidence of addiction, dependency, or an increased risk of later substance abuse (Green 148).
However, there are some possible side effects with stimulant medications for ADHD. Stomachaches, headaches, irritability, and sensitivity to criticism are common side effects when beginning treatment with Ritalin. Loss of appetite, weight loss, and difficulty falling asleep are other side effects of stimulants. Sometimes the medication is changed if these symptoms continue, but often the symptoms diminish with time. Mood swings or irritability as the medication wears off can also occur. When we look beyond the surface behavior of the ADHD individual, we find a profound hunger for warmth of others.
Our challenge as a society should be to help those who do not know what ADHD is, understand this disorder or dysfunction so that ways may be found to provide help and compassion for those who need it. It is better to be able to identify children with ADHD early. However, it is never too late to help out those with this Disorder. Sources Cited Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Yahoo!
Health 2000. 25 October 2000 < web >> Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Discovery Health 11 March 1999. 25 October 2000 < web > Green, Christopher Dr. , and Dr. Kit Chee. Understanding ADHD. New York: Ballentine, 1998 Moragne, Wendy. Attention Deficit Disorder. Connecticut: Millbrook, 1996
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Research essay sample on Attention Deficit Disorder Understanding This
