1. The Psychological Classification of ADHD
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is usually detected during the patient's childhood. While there is no cure and the condition is known to cause learning disabilities, it can be effectively managed. About 60 percent of cases have lasting effects throughout adulthood.
The condition meets classification criteria for both neurological and behavioral disorders. You'll notice that ADHD patients have some developmental lag times, particularly with their ability to control immediate urges and impulses.
2. What Causes Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?
There is no consensus regarding a single cause of ADHD, and you'll find a wide range of opinions as you gather more and more information about it. Some research suggests a genetic predisposition to developing the condition may be inherited from one or both parents. You'll also find researchers who believe the disorder can be triggered by childhood trauma or exposure to toxins.
Scientists have also found a number of physiological similarities in ADHD patients. For one, they tend to have inferior blood circulation and lower metabolic rates. Though it is not proven, abnormalities within the brain's dopamine distribution system are also suspected of being contributing factors.
3. Identifying and Diagnosing the Condition
If your child behaves impulsively and has trouble concentrating in environments with a high degree of external stimuli, ADHD may be the cause. These symptoms, together with hyperactivity, are the disorder's most common signs. However, it's important that you remember there are many psychological, behavioral and physical developmental conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
If your child's teacher reports poor organizational skills or difficulties with sequential memory, you should have your child see a psychologist or doctor. There is a complex set of diagnostic criteria outlined in standard diagnostic protocol texts, mostly based around a recurrence of the aforementioned symptoms over a period of time. Your child will also undergo intelligence, psychological and neurological testing as part of the diagnostic process.
4. Treatment Options
You'll probably be presented with a range of treatment options that includes drug therapy, usually consisting of stimulants that enhance concentration or antidepressants that assist in dopamine production. As a parent, you'll be introduced to techniques you can use to understand your child, improve communication and encourage better behavior.
Your child can also benefit from individual counseling designed to teach skills and tools that can facilitate easier classroom learning and better social awareness. Family therapy might also be encouraged by your child's doctor.
5. The Outlook for ADHD Patients
Your child is likely to have some struggles in school, especially when it comes to deadlines and self-organization. However, if this challenge can be overcome and your child learns and implements the necessary modifications to enjoy a successful social life, he or she may grow up to show fewer and fewer signs of the condition later in life.
