Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Neurobiology of a Disorder or a Difference?

ADHD classifies as a congenital disorder and directly modifies the brain’s functions, including impairments in concentration, emotional regulation, memory, organization and other mental abilities under cognitive function.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is classified as a syndrome that is comprised of a variety of behaviors that often arises in early childhood and is characterized by extremely high levels of motor activity, difficulties with attention span and concentrating, and/or impulsive behaviors (Cook & Cash, 2011). It has been estimated in the United States that approximately 20% of children and adolescents display signs of a psychological or behavioral disorder according to Luthy, David, Macintosh, Eden, and Beckstrand (2015). ADHD is considered one of the more prevalent psychological disorders in children, with approximately 3-7% of school-age children with an ADHD diagnosis as mentioned by Luthy et al. (2015).

In the psychiatric medical field, there is a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM) that provides very specific guidelines on how to recognize, diagnose, and treat mental disorders. ADHD was first introduced to the DSM in 1980 when the DSM-II was published. Since then, three more DSM’s were published, making DSM-V the most up-to-date published manual. In the DSM-V, it describes “people with ADHD [must] show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development” and a detailed list of criteria for either inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity follows (“Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)”). Also, everyone potential patient must present four specific conditions: they had to present the inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms prior to age twelve, the symptoms must be present in at least two different settings, the symptoms must impair the individual or evidently interfere with life, and the symptoms must not better fit any other mental disorder (“Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)”). Also, only professionals trained to diagnose ADHD are able to diagnose patients, therefore, eliminating any diagnostic errors attributed to a lack of

The DSM 5 criterion for ADHD is “ a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.” It was at first thought to be a type of mental retardation, until it became clear that those effected by symptoms where not stupid but in fact highly intelligent. However they stubbornly refused to conform to societal rules not due to lack of comprehension but due to what seemed to be a lack of self-control and general disregard for rules. George F. Still did a great amount of work in coming to understand the connection between these behaviors and neurological impulse in the early 19th century. Massive amounts of research was done in an effort for the medical community to explain the bizarre and socially inappropriate behaviors of different individuals.“ the history of compiling these symptoms into a formal diagnose represents an increasing drive to medicalize unconvential childhood behaviors” (Rafalovich) Understanding of ADHD has developed a great deal in the pass 100 years from being thought of as “imbecility”, to “minimal brain damage” to the present diagnosable psychological condition it is today. In fact it was not called Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder until 1980, in DSM-III (a diagnostic reference book for physicians). This is shocking considering the number of people that are diagnosed every year with a disorder that is

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a highly renowned disorder, known to affect hyperactivity, attention, and impulsivity, normally in young children. The National Institute of Mental Health does affirm the legitimacy of ADHD as a mental health disorder. However, there has been much argument over the years, debating whether ADHD is a true psychiatric disorder. Timimi and Radcliffe disagree with the assertion made by the NIMH, saying that ADHD is not a real medical disorder, but rather it is “an agenda-driven, socially constructed entity invented by Western society” (page 1).

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, is defined as “a highly genetic, brain based syndrome that has to do with the regulation of a particular set of brain functions and related behaviors” (ADHD: The Facts). However, before the introduction of ADHD, there was literature of other similar symptoms like of it, but had been given different names and definitions. For instance, doctors had once said that children with encephalitis, inflammation of the brain, have symptoms that are identical to those of hyperactivity. In the beginning of the diagnosis of ADHD, they would consider factors, corresponding to the central nervous system abnormalities, such as epilepsy, neurological disorders, and “disorganized or chaotic home environments”

Living with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is one of the hardest challenges I have ever faced. Having been diagnosed at the age of seven, it is the most prevalent thing in my life. ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed psychological disorder in the United States (Hughes). It is a persistent disorder, often prevalent through adolescence and adulthood. Most individuals diagnosed are between the ages of seven and nine, although there have been numerous cases where individuals have been diagnosed in their later years. Case studies show that males are four times more likely to be diagnosed/affected with ADHD, and lately, studies have shown an unexplained increase in the number of diagnoses made in children. It has been recognized that in the past, people have scoffed at the diagnosis of ADHD, and even disregarding and bashing the disorder, calling it things like, “a real medical hoax”(Citation). These individuals, however, are severely misguided, seeing as though ADHD is a real disorder, and it affects millions of people worldwide in present day. There have been neurological studies studying and showing that ADHD is, in fact, neurologically related, and it is most likely caused by chemical imbalances in individual’s brains (Citation). One greatly debated question in the world of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is, “Can an individual that was diagnosed with ADHD eventually outgrow it?” One side of this argument states that an individual that has been

ADHD or ADD, a mental illness in which every American thinks they seem to have at times. Many people seem to think at times they have ‘ADHD brain’ at times or say they are ‘so ADHD’. ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a mental disorder which is characterized by the DSM-V as impairing one's attention, shifting tasks constantly, and displaying hyperactive behavior (European consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of Adult ADHD: The European Network Adult ADHD). Although some people seem to think ADHD is just something kids experience nowadays, recent research is showing perhaps ADHD is a product of natural selection, and at one time needed to survive in nomadic settings. Many people afflicted with ADHD seem to think they were biologically wired in a certain way and recent research is pointing to the fact that this

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often seen in children of preschool age to twelve years of age. This disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes one to have excessive amounts of hyperness and difficulty focusing. This disorder not only affects the child, but also the family and educators. While mainly treated with drug therapy, new forms of treatment are forming and promise to become successful (Ghuman, 2017).

Through my training and experience I have learned that ADHD is a neurobehavioral development disorder and is a “persistent pattern 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,” as defined within: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The

According to a study by the National Institute of Health (NIH), “children with ADHD who had the z-repeat version of the dopamine D4 receptor gene had thinner-than normal areas in the brain’s out mantle, the cerebral cortex” (Teens with ADHD 2). Meaning that children with ADHD who were constantly being tested were all seen having the same gene variation in their brains. Thus showing that within ADHD it causes a type of gene to be thinner than it is supposed to be causing a malfunction in the brain’s production of chemicals. After experimenting with children with ADHD throughout their childhood the NIH concluded that ADHD, “Likely stems from interactions between several genes and non-genetic genes” (Teens with ADHD 2). This proves that ADHD not only is caused by the variation of genes but also of several other factors. Furthermore, proving that the variation of genes is one of the reason and ways that ADHD could be proven by doctors and

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

It was once thought that brain injury was the primary culprit for the disorder, but this theory has since been disproved by studies that illustrate only an insignificant number of ADHD sufferers have had brain trauma. Attention disorders often run in families, so there are likely to be genetic influences. Studies indicate that 25 percent of the close relatives in the families of ADHD children also have ADHD, whereas the rate is about 5 percent in the general population. Recent studies have also focused their attention on the part of the cerebrum known as the frontal lobes. This is the part of the brain responsible for solving problems, planning, understanding the behavior of others, and restraining our impulses. In 2002, Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Child Psychiatry Branch studied 139 children over a 10 year span and found, through MRI and other brain testing technologies, that the children had 3-4% smaller brain volumes than those of normal, healthy children. Although MRI brain scans show promise as a diagnostic tool, scientists stress they cannot be used effectively for that purpose (Surgeon Gen 5-8).

ADHD is an abbreviation for attention deficit/hyper activity disorder. It is commonly referred to as a psychiatric disorder in need of therapy. The origination of the disease is in the neuro-physiological brain construct, and the main cause of the disorder is considered to be genetic (Wilson, 2012). Many children with ADHD struggle with impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention (Unnever, Cullen, & Pratt, 2003). According to McNamara, Vervaeke, and Willoughby (2008), “attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder among children and adolescents. It affects between 3% and 5% of school age children” (p. 38). In a

“Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition affecting children and adults that is characterized by problems with attention, impulsivity, and overactivity” (CHADD). “It is a neurobiological disorder that affect 3-7 percent of school age children and may be seen as before the age of 7. The current diagnostic label is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, however, in the past several other names have been used, such as brain-damaged, minimal brain dysfunction, hyperkinetic impulsive disorder, and attention deficit disorder (CHADD). ADHD is a controversial disorder. Some understand it to be a true disability, while others believe “good teaching and discipline at home resolve the problems” (Kauffman 2005).