ADHD/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, has become a very prevalent mental disorder in children across the United States. In fact, as of 2011, 11 percent of all children ages four to seventeen had been diagnosed with ADHD (“ADHD Throughout the Years”). With the growing number of children diagnosed, the number of people skeptical of the amount of stimulants being handed out also grew. One problem is the vagueness of the definition. One dictionary defines ADHD as, “a condition, usually in children, characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness” (“Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder”). When describing young children in general, many people might use words like “inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness” as

To the dismay of a large population in society, there is a stigma pertaining to mental illnesses and their credibility. People are under the impression that since these diseases are not physically seen, they aren’t real. Despite that, most mental illnesses have been accredited as real health concerns, but there is still speculation surrounding Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). There are some, including the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), who are adamant in the fact that ADHD is a true illness, however there are other outside sources who argue there is not enough credible evidence to define ADHD as a mental disorder. This very argument has fueled psychologists to put their full efforts into finding

“ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is like living in a fast moving kaleidoscope where sounds, images and thoughts are constantly shifting.” (NIMH-ADHD) ADHD can be very frustrating and difficult for children. Medication and treatment are available and have been proven effective. Parents can also get frustrated and they could do something wrong. ADHD is effectively treated with medication and therapy.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder that can affect both children and adults. ADHD symptoms in a teenager’s daily life include hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Over six million American children and young adults have ADHD, thirteen percent are boys, and five percent are girls. Eleven percent of school age children are diagnosed with ADHD every year. ADHD is one of the most common disorders amongst children and young adults. Parents with ADHD have a fifty percent chance of passing it to their new born child. This paper will discuss the symptoms, causes, treatments, and crime among ADHD children and young adults.

Previously known as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), ADHD is a neurological disorder linked to genetic factors. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) includes 3 types of ADHD: hyperactive/impulsive subtype, inattentive subtype, and combined subtype (American Psychiatric Association 2013). Some areas in the brain of ADHD children are damaged especially the frontal lobe, resulting in the impairment of executive functions. This comes with difficulties in forethought, working memory, planning/organizing, and regulation of emotions. ADHD is more prominent in children, although it can still persist throughout adulthood; it is in fact the most commonly diagnosed childhood psychiatric disorder (Miernicki & Hukriede, 2004).

ADHD is broken down into three types of Characteristics: Inattention, Hyperactivity, and Impulsivity.(Dunn, 2013, pg. 245)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is a neurobehavioral disorder that affects school aged children with a high degree of inattention, excessive hyperactivity, impulsivity or a combination of any of these. In order for a child to be diagnosed with ADHD, there must be two different environments in which the child has displayed his or her symptoms and it must occur before the child is twelve years of age (Halter, 2014). Children have a high comorbidity level with developmental, learning and psychiatric problems. There are three types of ADHD; inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive type and combination type. With inattentive type the child displays disorganization, is unable to complete tasks, becomes easily bored, and

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood disorder that can be treated. ADHD is a hereditary condition. It is unknown exactly how it is passed although it has to do with the chemicals in the brain. ADHD often occurs along with other behavior disorders like Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD). There are no special tests to determine whether or not a child has ADHD (Wender, 2001, p. 6). Diagnosis of ADHD is based on interviews and rating scales. There are three subtypes of ADHD they are; inattentive type; hyperactive-impulsive type and the combined type (Wender, 2001, p. 7). To diagnosis ADHD, doctors follow the standards set forth by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is commonly diagnosed in childhood and affects approximately 5% of children worldwide (5th ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). Once thought to be a disruptive behavior problem, it is now believed to be a neuropsychological disorder that results from abnormalities within the brain and manifests as functional deficits (Barkley, 1997). These deficits result in symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity. Current diagnostic criteria for ADHD include 18 symptoms that are defined by these three core clusters (APA, 2013). ADHD usually manifests during childhood, however it persists into adolescence and adulthood in an estimated 35%-70% of cases (Adler & Cohen, 2004; Barkley, Fischer, Smallish, & Fletcher, 2002; Kessler et al., 2005) and affects approximately 2.5% of adults worldwide (APA, 2013). The prevalence of adult ADHD is estimated to be between 4% and 5% in the United States, amounting to approximately 9.4 million adults (Faraone, Spencer, Montano, & Biederman, 2004).

According to (Barkley, 1990, p. 3) Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the current diagnostic label for children presenting with significant problems with attention, impulsiveness, and excessive activity. Studies show that ADHD was once estimated to be 3 to 5% of school-age children, but more recent studies place the figure closer to 7 to 8% of school-age children and 4 to 5% of adults (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). An example would be Jay Durosier who is currently a client at Center for Family and Child Enrichment, Inc. He has presented symptoms of hyperactively, and difficulty sustaining attention on a consistent basis. He is receiving individual therapy to address his behavioral problems as manifested by short attention span, and difficulty following through on instruction in a timely manner. The goal is to Decrease his hyperactivity, increase self-control and follow directions in school.

children with this diagnosis as well as for their caregivers since everyday life presents so many

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), according to the textbook, is a lifelong neurological development disturbance that causes inattention and hyperactivity problems (Wicks-Nelson & Israel, 2015, p. 217). Many of those who have ADHD also suffer from one or more type of learning disability, because their attention issues that inhibit their ability to focus on the materials being taught at the moment (McNamara, J. [October 19, 2016], Lecture #6, Brock University). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the fifth edition (DSM-5), there are three categories for ADHD, the inattentive type, hyperactivity type, and the combined type (Wicks-Nelson & Israel, 2015, p. 223-225). In this scenario, there are various aspects of Kate’s diagnosis that could affect the understanding of ADHD for those around her.

Research shows that there are three characteristics of this disorder. The first one is Inattentive. According to Healthline.com Inattentive is what a person is typically referred to when they use the term ADD which they can show enough symptoms of inattention but isn’t hyperactive or impulsive. The second characteristic is Hyperactive-Impulsive which can occur when a child has symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity but not inattention. The third stage is symptoms of both Inattentive as well as Hyperactive-Impulsive which makes up the term ADHD. Every child can be fidgety and/or have trouble paying attention, however a child who has ADHD has the intensity, persistence and patterning to an extent that he/she

When Michael Phelps was nine years old and diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), his mother had already faced years of stressful parent conferences, lengthy phone calls, and rushed emails with her son’s teachers regarding his inability to focus in class. Rather than accepting another dose of criticism leveled against Michael, the new diagnosis only emblazoned her with a new passion to prove everyone wrong, for she knew her son’s diagnosis wasn’t a barrier to his success, but rather another challenge for him to tackle. ADHD played a pivotal role in the development of discipline and personal strength in Michael Phelps 's life, ultimately leading him to become the most successful Olympic swimmer in history.

When diagnosing ADHD, there is no single test itself that can determine it. Deciding if a child has the disorder is a several step process, which requires the attention of different professionals as well as those surrounding the child on a daily basis. A pediatrician,