ADHD

Week 8

Megan Batson

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition that affects children and adolescents and can continue throughout adulthood.
Children with ADHD generally have problems playing attention or concentration. They can’t seem to follow directions when it comes to home life, or even if it is school life, they will get easily bored or even get frustrated with task that they are supposed to be doing. Children with ADHD also have a problem with staying still, they move constantly and are impulsive, not stopping to think before they act, this is common with children, but also can affect adults as well who don’t have control over it.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that 3% to 5% of children have ADHD. Some experts, thought say ADHD may occurs in 8% to 10% of school aged children. Experts also question whether kids really outgrow ADHD.
Adults with ADHD may have difficulty with time management, organizational skills, goal setting, and employment. They may also have problems when it comes to relationships, self-esteem, and addictions.
When it comes to symptoms of ADHD in children there are three categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness
Inattention:
* Is easily distracted * Does not follow directions or finish task * Does not appear to be listening when someone is speaking * Does not pay attention and makes careless mistakes * Is forgetful about daily activities * Has problems organizing daily tasks * Avoids or dislikes activities that require sitting still or a sustains effort * Often loses things, including personal items * Has a tendency to daydream
Hyperactivity:
* Often squirms, fidgets, or bounces when sitting * Does not stay seated as expected * Has difficulty playing quietly * Is always moving, such as running or climbing on things * Talks excessively
Impulsivity:
* Has difficulty waiting for his or her turn * Blurts out answers before the question has been completed * Often interrupts others
Adult symptoms may be different then the symptoms that children get. Some adult symptoms are: * Chronic lateness and forgetfulness * Anxiety * Low self-esteem * Employment problems * Difficulty controlling anger * Impulsiveness * Substance abuse or addiction * Poor organization skills * Procrastination * Low frustration tolerance * Chronic boredom * Difficulty concentrating when reading * Mood swings * Depression * Relationship problems
The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but researchers continue to study the brain for clues they suspect that there are several factors that may contribute to the conditions such as; * Heredity: The fact that ADHD tends to run in families; Which children may inherit a tendency to develop ADHD from their parents. * Chemical Imbalance: Experts believe an imbalance of brain chemicals that transmit nerve impulses may be a factor in the development of ADHD symptoms. * Brain Changes: Areas of the brain that control attention are less active in children with ADHD than in children without ADHD. * Poor nutrition, infections, and substance abuse * Exposure to toxins * Injury to the brain or a brain disorder
ADHD is the most common diagnosed metal disorder for children these days and is more common in boys than it is in girls. It is discovered in the early school years, when a child begins to have problems paying attention either at home or in school, which that is when the parents check into it through the child’s doctor.
ADHD is diagnosed by the doctor, he or she will evaluate by taking a complete medical history of the mother and father, and then they will do a physical exam of the child, and also they will do lab test for ADHD. If there is no physical disorder that is found, then the doctor will refer the child to a specialist in childhood development disorders,