Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Term paper

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Disorders have become a very highly controversial

topic during the last decade. Attention Deficit Disorder, also known as ADD,

is a broad, almost generic term for the different types of Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorders. The Diagnostic and Statistical manual of the

American Psychiatric Association offers us this definition: ADHD is a disorder

that can include a list of nine specific symptoms of inattention and nine

symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity. In addition, the Concise Columbia

Electronic Encyclopedia provides this interpretation: (a) chronic,

neurologically based syndrome, characterized by any or all of three types of

behavior: hyperactivity, distractibility, and impulsivity. Unlike similar

behaviors caused by emotional problems or anxiety, ADHD does not

fluctuate with emotional states.

About 1-3% of the school aged population has the full ADHD

syndrome, without symptoms of other disorders. Another 5-10% have

partial ADHD syndrome with one or more other problems, such as anxiety or

depression.(CHADD) Gender and age affect the way the patients display

their symptoms. Boys are more likely to have the disorder than girls. The

symptoms of ADHD usually decrease with age, but those symptoms related

with other similar disorders are said to increase with age. 30-50% of

children with ADHD may display symptoms, although often times less

severe, into adulthood.

ADHD may be observed in children before the age of four, but it s signs

are often missed until the child begins school. ADHD is often accompanied

by learning difficulties, excessive physical activity, impulsive actions,

inattention and social inappropriateness. Many of the children affected by

ADHD exhibit a low threshold for frustration, which predisposes them to

uncontrollable tantrums, and inability to concentrate in a controlled setting,

such as a classroom. The behavioral symptoms associated with ADHD must

last more than six months to be diagnosed as an attention disorder,

although, it is not uncommon for medical doctors promote the idea of office

diagnosis. Diagnosis of ADHD syndrome in a doctor s office however,

presents an evaluation in a controlled environment, which are subject to

error. Office diagnosis entails a child being put in a observation room,

usually alone, which enable the doctor to observe their behavior. This

observation does not produce accurate results due to the fact that the

environment is not one of which the child frequently has problems in.

Frequently the behaviors of children affected by ADHD will parallel those of a

normal child, other times, the child can be uncontrollable. Most children with

ADHD have problems with interacting with other children or when asked to

complete a task, especially if additional distractions are present. More

frequently, children suspected of having ADHD are evaluated by their

intellectual, academic, social and emotional functioning. The evaluation

often includes input from the child s teacher(s), parent(s), and others adults

that frequently interact with the child. There are questionnaires that will

rate the child behavior that are often used by the parents and teacher of the

child. (See Addendum 1) Being that the behavior must last for at least six

months, a log of behavior is also encouraged to be kept.

According to Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity

Disorders (CHADD), four subtypes of ADHD have been defined as follows:

ADHD -- Inattentive type is defined by an individual

experiencing at least six of the following characteristics:

1. fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes

2. difficulty sustaining attention

3. does not appear to listen

4. struggles to follow through on instructions

5. difficulty with organization

6. avoids or dislikes requiring sustained mental effort

7. often loses things necessary for tasks

8. easily distracted

9. forgetful in daily activities

ADHD -- Hyperactive/Impulsive type is defined by an

individual experiencing six of the following characteristics:

1. fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat

2. difficulty remaining seated

3. runs about or climbs excessively (in adults may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)

4. difficulty engaging in activities quietly

5. talks excessively

6. blurts out answers before question have been completed

7. difficulty waiting in turn taking situations

8. interrupts or intrudes upon others

ADHD -- Combined type is defined by an individual meeting

both sets of attention and hyperactive/impulsive criteria.

ADHD -- Not otherwise specified is defined by an individual

who demonstrates some characteristics but an insufficient number of

symptoms to reach a full diagnosis. These symptoms, however, disrupt

everyday life.

Although we mostly hear of children having the disorder, many adults

are also affected by ADHD. Adults often try and...

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