ADHD Essays (2853 words) - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder As a young boy growing up in south Trinidad (in a rural village), I by all accounts was not the most serene of children. To hear my mother tell it, I was the most ?miserable, hyperactive, impulsive? child to be born in Trinidad in 1971. Although this may be a bit of an exaggeration, I do remember finding it difficult to pay attention in school, being easily distracted and I distinctly remember always needing to be on the go. Back then, these traits were not attributed to anything other than being a ?bad? child and the only acceptable therapy was one which was administered by a belt. Nowadays, similar behaviors if exhibited by a child would be interpreted as a possible behavioral problem that needed further analysis by a professional. In this paper, this author will discuss one the most common of childhood behavior disorders: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Also discussed would be its official definition, signs and symptoms, the underlying causative factors and cu rrent treatment approaches. Definition of ADHD According to the DSM-IV, ADHD is defined as ?a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequently displayed and more severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development? (American Psychiatric Association, 1994, pg. 65). Also of importance is the fact that this disorder may begin in childhood but may not be diagnosed until symptoms have been persistently evident for a number of years. In addition to the symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that may be present, there are four other criteria that should be considered before a diagnosis of ADHD can be determined. These are: 1.Some of these symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity presented before age 7 years. 2.Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings such as at school and at home. 3.There must be clear evidence of measurable impairment in social, academic or occupational functioning. 4.The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder and they do not occur exclusively during the course of a psychotic disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Symptoms of ADHD Approximately 5 percent of schoolchildren display symptoms of ADHD and of this number, 90 percent are boys (Comer, 2007). Children with ADHD may experience significant impairment in academic and interpersonal/social functioning as well as serious behavior, anxiety or mood problems. These impairments are understandable in light of the signs and symptoms associated with ADHD. Some symptoms of inattention include: ?Failure to give close attention to details or making careless mistakes in schoolwork, work or other activities. ?Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities. ?Often does not seem to listen when directly spoken to. ?Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores or duties in the workplace. ?Often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli. ?Often forgetful in daily activities (American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV-TR), 2000, pg. 65). Symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity include such things as: ?Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat. ?Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate. ?Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly. ?Often talks excessively ?Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed. ?Often has difficulty awaiting turn. ?Often interrupts or intrudes on others (American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV-TR), 2000, pg. 66). Etiology: Biological /Physiological Consideration Most of the literature on ADHD generally agrees that there may be several possible, interacting causes and have identified biological/physiological, developmental/psychological and sociological factors that underlie this condition. Firstly, recent research has suggested that hereditary factors play an important role in determining a person?s likelihood of developing ADHD (Carlson, 2010). In fact, according to the authors of the journal Human Molecular Genetics, the estimated heritability of ADHD ranges from 75 to 91 percent (Thapar, O?Donovan & Owen, 2005). The main biological/physiological factors identified in many cases are abnormal activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine and abnormalities in the frontal-striatal regions of the brain (Brown, 2005). According to a report in the August 2007 issue of the journal General Psychiatry, ?Genetic, clinical and imaging studies point to a disruption of the brain dopamine system, which is corroborated by the clinical effectiveness of stimulant drugs (methylphenidate hydrochloride and amphetamine), which increase extracellular dopamine in the brain.? In other words, the low level of dopamine in the