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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD · Attention Deficit Disorder · ADD)

The Facts

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that may be characterized by a pattern of inattention (inability to concentrate) sometimes combined with hyperactivity-impulsivity which is persistent, is developmentally inappropriate, and occurs in at least two different settings. ADHD affects about 4% of the general population and it occurs six times more frequently in boys than girls. ADHD seems to persist into adulthood in 40% to 60% of cases. An inability to integrate in social, academic, or work-related settings is a pattern seen in people with a history of ADHD. In childhood, a person with ADHD may have academic problems, as the condition affects a person's ability to concentrate and focus on tasks. Because they are unable to organize their work or pay attention to their studies, children with ADHD may try to distract other children in class.

People with ADHD are especially sensitive to sensory stimuli such as noise, touch, and visual cues. They can easily be over-stimulated, leading to changes in behaviour that may include aggressiveness or giddiness.

Many people think ADHD and ADD (attention deficit disorder) are two different conditions, but in fact, they're two names for the same condition. Other names no longer in use are minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) and hyperactivity.

Causes

Biological causes are at the root of ADHD. Specifically, neurological imbalances in the brain are responsible for the symptoms exhibited by a person with ADHD.

In the brain, chemicals called neurotransmitters help send messages throughout the body. Scientific studies show that certain neurotransmitters are lower in quantity or are lacking in people with ADHD.

Even though the neurological imbalances are present in people with ADHD, the exact cause is unclear. In many cases, ADHD appears to be largely genetic, since children with ADHD are four times more likely to have close family members with the same medical condition, and it is much more common in identical twins than in non-identical twins or siblings. Scientific research has not yet discovered the chromosomes that may be responsible for the condition.

During pregnancy or after birth, certain factors may damage the brain and alter its function. During pregnancy, exposure of the baby's developing brain to radiation, alcohol, or other factors may lead to this condition. After birth, the development of certain infectious diseases that affect the brain tissue, such as meningitis or encephalitis, may affect the way the brain sends signals and contributes to the symptoms associated with ADHD.

Food additives and refined sugar are sometimes blamed as the cause of ADHD. Research shows that neither food additives nor sugar have any major effect on the symptoms of a child with ADHD.

Symptoms and Complications

An attention deficit problem is officially described as a disorder when it is developmentally inappropriate and the symptoms first appear before the age of 7 and significantly interfere in at least two settings from school, work, family, or social life.

Symptoms of a child with ADHD fall into 3 large categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. They may include:

fidgeting or squirming excessively
having difficulty remaining seated
being easily distracted
having difficulty awaiting his or her turn in games
blurting out answers to questions
having difficulty following instructions
having difficulty sustaining attention
shifting from one activity to another
having difficulty playing quietly
often talking excessively
often interrupting
often not listening to what is said
often losing things
often engaging in dangerous activities
There's no official symptom list for adults, but symptoms are similar to those listed above.

People with ADHD are much more likely to experience a number of other nervous system disorders. These may include:

learning disabilities in 25% to 30% of people with ADHD despite normal intelligence
tic disorders (such as Tourette's syndrome) in 20% of children with ADHD. More than 50% of children with Tourette's are also diagnosed with ADHD
motor control delays (poor coordination) in 50% of children with ADHD
language problems, especially with expressive language (e.g., vocabulary)
obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD)
oppositional-defiant disorder
conduct disorder
autism
anxiety disorders (25%)
depression (20% to 30%)

Making the Diagnosis

ADHD is diagnosed on the basis of a combination of the symptoms listed above. These symptoms must interfere seriously with at least two major areas of a person's life, such as school, home, or another setting (for example, an extracurricular activity). Also, the child must show these symptoms constantly. There are no specific blood tests, scans, or electronic tests of brain activity that are particularly helpful in making the diagnosis. A specialist determines whether the behavioural problems associated with the condition are a continuous problem that requires treatment. This is usually done in conjunction with questionnaires and rating scales completed by the child's parents and teachers.

It's possible that people not diagnosed with ADHD may show the symptoms as adults. Studies show that 40% to 60% of children with ADHD show signs of the condition in their adult lives.

Treatment and Prevention

It's important to treat the condition. Parents with children who have ADHD should not feel they've done something wrong if their child has trouble at school. People with ADHD are as intelligent and fundamentally capable as anyone else, and can lead happy, successful lives with the right help.

Treatment for ADHD usually consists of medication combined with educational, family, and other social changes.

Medication for ADHD involves a low, steady dose of a psychostimulant medication like methylphenidate* or dextroamphetamine. If you have ADHD, these help to filter out unnecessary distractions. The medication stimulates the areas of the brain that do not have sufficient production of neurotransmitters to produce the needed chemicals. In at least 80% of children, this allows them to pay attention, concentrate, and be less impulsive. There are possible side effects to consider, but these are often minor and controlled through the dose given.

Some parents are wary of these medications, fearing that their child will become addicted or unable to succeed without chemical help. In fact, there's no evidence of addictiveness. Some children, especially those with co-existing problems or disorders (see the list in "Symptoms and Complications" above) may require an alternative type of medication. Some children may manage without medication.

Medications should be accompanied by supportive counselling and, possibly, sessions with a specialist such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist. Parent training in effective child behaviour management methods, classroom behaviour modification methods, and academic interventions such as special educational placement, have all shown promising results. Some modern behaviour modification and cognitive behavioural therapy produces successful results in children with ADHD without the use of medication. Science has not proven that changes in diet help to treat individuals with ADHD.

Overall, once a treatment is in place, children with ADHD need to learn to use their newfound concentration to the best advantage.

Source:
MedBroadcast.com
http://www.medbroadcast.com