Essay On Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders that impacts children and adults. Most often diagnosed in childhood, ADHD can continue to persist into the adult years sometimes with masked symptoms. ADHD may coexist with other learning disorders, such as dyslexia and dysphagia, rendering the child with educational difficulties in the classroom as one problem is treated without the other. If left undiagnosed or treated, ADHD can persist into adulthood having lasting repercussions in employment, family relationships, and society. The proper treatment for ADHD is vital for a healthy and productive lifestyle with a combination of behavior therapy, well-balanced diet, and medications. Keywords: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, Learning Disabilities Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, more commonly known as ADHD, is one of the most prevalent neurobehavioral disorders diagnosed in children. If the effects of the disorder are severe enough, improperly treated, or undiagnosed, the condition can continue into adulthood. As a nation, the month of October has been set aside and designated as awareness month for ADHD. ADHD defined Although some children have difficulty paying attention in class or become fidgety at times, ADHD is a disorder that manifests itself in situations, such as difficulty in school, troubled home life, and/or social interactions with friends (http://www.cdc.gov/features/smoking-adhd/). The CDC defines Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder as the inability to pay attention, impulsive actions without forethought of the consequences, or hyperactivity. Children and adults with ADHD often times display other comorbid conditions like depression, anxiety, or other learning disabilities that make ADHD difficult to diagnose and treat (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html) Risk According to the 2014 Surgeon General’s report, there is evidence that suggests perinatal exposure to smoking is associated with behavior disorders, such as ADHD. Although the evidence is not sufficient with data limited and results of tests mixed, further research into the causal relationship between smoking and ADHD is warranted (http://www.cdc.gov/features/smoking-adhd/). Another research study completed by Sagiv, Thurston, Bellinger, Amarasiriwardena, and Korrick (2012) concluded in a multivariable regression model that perinatal exposure to mercury from fish was associated with ADHD, however further research is recommended (Sagiv et al., 2012). Although the causes and risk factors are not definitively known, current research in the study of twins has suggested there is a genetic link with ADHD. Other potential causes and risk factors proposed by researchers are childhood brain injury, environmental exposures to harmful toxins such as lead, alcohol use during pregnancy, premature delivery, and/or low birth weight in the individual. According to scientific knowledge, the popularly held notion among parents with small children that excess sugar causes ADHD is a complete fallacy (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html). Diagnosis Due to other comorbid conditions that display similarities with ADHD in symptoms, the diagnosis of ADHD is not predicated on a single test for confirmation. According to the CDC, any child between the ages of four and eighteen years of age that displays behavior and academic disorders with symptoms of an inability to concentrate, hyperactive, impulsive, or a combination of the three symptoms should be evaluated by a mental health care provider or primary care physician in accordance with the criteria established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/diagnosis.html). The DSM-5 manual requires testing of individuals that “show a …show more content…
Stimulants, which are the most commonly used form of medication, increase the neurotransmitter, dopamine levels in the brain that are involved in the activation of attention, motivation, and movement. An alternative for children unable to tolerate the administration of Stimulants is Non-Stimulants approved by the FDA, such as Strattera (atomoxetine), Intuniv (guanfacine), and Kapvay (clonidine) (http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM279341.pdf).
Quick Facts
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is one of the most prevalent neurobehavioral disorders that impacts children and adults.
• At least one third of the children diagnosed with ADHD will continue to endure problems into adulthood.
• Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that one in ten children that are four to seventeen years of age have been diagnosed with ADHD in the United States.
• A combination of behavior therapy, well-balanced diet, and medications are recommended in the treatment of ADHD.
• A conservative estimate places the total cost of treating Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder at $38