Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder that is characterized by attention-related problems, impulsivity and hyperactivity. A study published in "Psychological Medicine" in 2006 states that about half of the patients that are diagnosed with this disorder as children continue having ADHD symptoms as adults.
What Are the Signs of ADHD?
When people think of ADHD, they usually picture a hyperactive child who cannot sit still and talks constantly. According to the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), this hyperactive-impulsive type, however, represents only one of the three different types of ADHD patients. Another common type is an inattentive patient who forgets to finish his assignments and loses things constantly. A third type is a combination of both of these.
How Common is ADHD?
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that approximately 4.4 million children between the ages 4 and 17 have a history of ADHD diagnoses. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published in 2003 notes that according to parental reports, 7.8 percent of school-aged children have this disorder, and approximately 2.5 million children are taking ADHD medication. ADHD is four times more common among boys than in girls.
What Causes ADHD?
The American Academy of Pediatrics states in their report published in 2000 that ADHD seems to have strong genetic components. This disorder is more common among children whose mothers were abusing alcohol or smoking during pregnancy. Oftentimes, ADHD patients have low birth weight, difficulties during pregnancy, or they have been exposed to such environmental toxins as PCBs.
Treatments for ADHD
Although ADHD cannot be cured, the children and adults suffering from this disorder can be helped significantly with, for example, behavioral modification techniques that aim at controlling their impulsiveness. According to a report by the American Academy of Pediatrics that was published in 2000, parents and teachers need to be educated about the symptoms of children suffering from ADHD, and how they can help them in everyday situations. Medication is an essential part of the treatments, but cannot help the patient if the behavioral modification is left out.
Coexisting Conditions
ADHD patients often suffer from other disorders as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for example, reports that in a study published in 2000 in "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report" that approximately half of children suffering from ADHD referred to clinics have behavioral disorders as well as ADHD. The most common problems in ADHD patients include depression, and different learning disabilities, such as dyslexia.
References
- "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine"; How Common is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?; Barbaresi ; vol. 3, 209-210, 2002.
- "Psychological Medicine"; The age-dependent decline of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A meta-analysis of follow-up studies.; Faraone, Biederman, Mick; vol. 36, 159-165, 2006.
- "Pediatrics"; Clinical practice guidelines: Diagnosis and evaluation of the child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.; American Academy of Pediatrics; vol. 105, 1158-1170, 2000.
- "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report"; ADHD Prevalence; Visser; vol 54, 842-47, 2003
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders";Weitzel; 1994.
