Adhd

Attention Deficit hyperactive Disorder is a brain disorder that affects mostly behavior and ability to focus. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder affects millions of people. It is most active in children but it can also have effects on adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. It is not hard to notice when someone has Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. According to the, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Ed. IV, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is a Disruptive Behavior Disorder characterized by the presence of a set of chronic and impairing behavior patterns that display abnormal levels of inattention, hyperactivity, or their combination. In order To meet the diagnostic criteria according to the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and statistical Manual of Mental disorders) a couple of aspects have to be considered to meet a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder: Six (or more) of either 1) Inattention, or 2) Hyperactivity/Impulsivity Symptoms must have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level. (qtd. In Winkler) It is not easy diagnosing somebody with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder because it could show signs of other mental disorders as well, like bipolar disorder and depression. Not to mention, it would be challenging enough having someone with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder sit down in a doctor’s office long enough for the psychiatrists to find out what is wrong with them. From my knowledge and experience, symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder might include difficulty paying attention to details, making careless mistakes in activities, not listening when being spoken to, having a hard time organizing, being easily distracted, not being able to focus on certain things for a certain amount of time. Some other symptoms could include: Finding that other people seem to take forever to eat, shop, or get to the point! Time seems to move so slowly in these settings. Have trouble with arguing, blaming others, or even lying. Sometimes have “blow ups” over unimportant things. Yell at people who are trying to help them. Have trouble noticing how other people are reacting to them. After all, who’s got time for that' Have a sense of always being nervous or worried. Have trouble with handwriting, or sometimes with other school subjects. (Kutscher 9) Hyperactive symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder could include, fidgets or squirms frequently, often leaves his or her seat in the classroom or in other situations when sitting down is expected, running or climbing a lot when it is not appropriate or, if an adolescent, might constantly feel restless, and has difficulty playing quietly, always seems on the go, talks excessively, blurts out the answers before questions have been completely asked, frequently has difficulty waiting for his or her turn, often interrupts or intrudes on peoples conversations or games (Mayo Clinic Staff). Other symptoms could include acting act randomly, inappropriate behavior, difficulty with self-control, shouting things in class when it is not deemed appropriate, constantly getting into trouble at school or daycares. Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder would not necessarily be “hyper” and crazy. Adults with the disorder have the same symptoms as children but the impulse and hyperactive symptoms are not nearly as bad as it is with children. Because the brains of children are not fully developed, children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder are more hyper and act more on impulses a more than adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. It is not easy living with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. Growing up with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder was challenging for me in many ways. Kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder can be distracted very easily when in school and it is a challenge for them to succeed in school from all the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. Because Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder can leave kids bored and waiting for something to happen a lot of the time, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder may have kids ending up in trouble throughout school as well. Boredom is a great cause of crimes. I know from my own experience that living with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder made me really bored lots of times. Being bored a lot, caused me to get into a significant amount of trouble throughout the years. The trouble started out childish like pulling pranks on other students and getting into petty fights at school. But as I got older, the trouble I got in to became more serious like drugs and break in crimes. Although the exact cause of attention deficit hyperactive disorder is not known, NIMH states, that “Studies have shown a possible correlation between the use of cigarettes and alcohol during pregnancy and risk for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder in the offspring of that pregnancy”. Attention disorders, most of the time runs in families, so there are likely to be genetic influences. “Studies indicate that 25 percent of the close relatives in the families of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder children also have Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, whereas the rate is about 5 percent in the general population” (NIMH). Computer imaging of the brain structure of people with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder sometimes reveals smaller basal ganglia and reduced frontal lobe activity. “Basal ganglia, or nerve clusters, are involved in routine behaviors, and the frontal lobes are involved in planning and organizing, attention, impulse control, and inhibition of responses to sensory stimulation” (Swierzewski). The neurotransmitter dopamine is involved in controlling emotions and reactions, concentrating, reasoning, and coordinating movement. “An abnormally low level of dopamine can cause the three primary symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder: inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity” (Swierzewski). There is no cure for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder but, with the help of medication, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is very treatable. The most common type of medication used for treating Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is called a stimulant. A stimulant is mostly “speedy drugs” which increases heart rate and metabolism, like crack and speed. Stimulants that treat Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder are not as heavy of drugs as crack and speed but, they would still have speedy effects on people without Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. Although it may seem unusual to treat people with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder with a medication considered a stimulant, because people with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder seem like they are already on speed drugs, it actually has a calming effect on people with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (NIMH). Many types of stimulant medications are available. Nearly all of the medication that treats Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is only available through a prescription from a psychiatrist or other clinical psychologists unless, they are obtained illegally. Some Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder medications include Ritalin, adderall, concerta, and strattera. A few other Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder medications are non-stimulants and work differently than stimulants. For many people, Attention Deficit hyperactive Disorder medications reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and improve their ability to focus, work, and learn. Medication also may improve physical coordination (NIMH). Medications can take effect almost right away. The medication can last around 6 hours. It is not necessary to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder with stimulants because, it is not a life threatening disorder however, with the effects that people get with the medication the symptoms from Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder almost disappear while the medication is taking effect. There are other ways to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder without medication but, the effects are still present without medication. From my own experience with taking Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder medications, the most obvious side effect I found with taking these drugs was a decrease in appetite. Another side effect I found from taking medication was hard time falling asleep. Another side effect might include an over concentrated nature. This means people on the medication look extremely focused and, do things without relaxation of concentration or any emotion of any sort. In other words, this over concentrated nature might be described as being emotionless like a robot (Austin and Reiss and Burgdorf). Some people reported having a stomachache but, stomachaches only occur because of a dosage problem. “Other serious side effects include confusion, irritability, withdrawal, and allergic reactions (e.g., rash, wheezing, or swelling of the hands or face). Another possible serious side effect is the lowering of the brain's seizure threshold” (Austin and Reiss and Burgdorf). People with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder usually live with it their whole lives. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is usually more active in children and young teens. The early years of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder are the worst. That is when the hyperactive behaviors and the craziness occur. The hyper behavior and impulses usually stop happening as people with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder begin adulthood. As they get older the Disorder tends to subside and affect focus and motivation. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is not a life threatening disorder but, it still affects millions of people. Just because it is not putting anybody’s life in jeopardy does not mean that it should not be taken care of. Though the use of medication, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder can be very well maintained without it greatly affecting the lives of people with the disorder. Works Cited "ADHD Causes and Risk Factors - Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Mental Health Channel." Your Mental Health Community - Mental Health Channel. Ed. Stanley J. Swierzewski. 1 Feb. 2001. Web. 16 July 2010. Kutscher, Martin L. The ADHD E-Book. Valhalla: Martin Kutscher, 2007. Print. Margaret, Austin, Natalie Reiss, and Laura Burgdorf. "Side Effects of ADHD Medications - (ADHD) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Cause, Diagnosis, History." Mental Health, Depression, Anxiety, Wellness, Family & Relationship Issues, Sexual Disorders & ADHD Medications. 5 Nov. 2007. Web. 16 July 2010. NIMH. "What Causes ADHD' - HealthyPlace." HealthyPlace.com - Trusted Mental Health Information and Support - HealthyPlace. 6 Jan. 2009. Web. 15 July 2010. Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Symptoms - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic Medical Information and Tools for Healthy Living - MayoClinic.com. 13 Feb. 2009. Web. 13 July 2010. Winkler, Martin. "ADHD Symptoms ADHD Diagnosis - Diagnostic Criteria of ADHD." Psychology Free Online Medical Advice, Mental Health, Anxiety, Relationship Advice. 22 July 2008. Web. 16 July 2010. References Mayo Clinic Staff, . (2009, February 13). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (adhd) in children. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adhd/ds00275/dsection=symptoms NIMH, . (2009, January 6). What Causes adhd' . Retrieved from http://www.healthyplace.com/adhd/nimh/what-causes-adhd/menu-id-888/ Swierzewski, S. (2001, February 1). Adhd causes and risk factors. Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealthchannel.net/adhd/causes.shtml Winkler, M. (2008, December 8). Adhd symptoms adhd diagnosis - diagnostic criteria of adhd . Retrieved from http://web4health.info/en/answers/adhd-diagn-dsm.htm The ADHD e-BOOK Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York. Practice Limited to Pediatric Behavioral Neurology in Rye Brook, Middletown, W. Nyack & Wappingers Falls, NY © Martin L. 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