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ADHD is most
commonly diagnosed in children and, over the past
decade, has been increasingly diagnosed in adults.
It is believed that around 60% of children diagnosed
with ADHD retain the disorder as adults.
Methods of treatment usually involve some combination
of medication, psychotherapy, and other techniques.
Some patients are able to control their symptoms
over time, without the use of medication. Other individuals
who meet the diagnostic criteria of ADHD do not consider
themselves to be handicapped by the disorder and
therefore may remain undiagnosed or, after a positive
diagnosis, untreated.
Treatments
Medications
Diet modification for ADHD
Herbs, coffee and ADHD
Audio-visual therapy and ADHD
Cerebellar stimulation
Symptoms
The first is Inattention and can include:
 Failing
to pay close attention to details
Making
careless mistakes when doing schoolwork or other
activities
Trouble
keeping attention focused during play or tasks
Appearing
not to listen when spoken to
Failing
to follow instructions or finish tasks
Avoiding
tasks that require a high amount of mental effort
and organization
Frequently
losing items required to facilitate tasks or activities
Excessive
distractibility and forgetfulness
Procrastination,
inability to begin an activity
Difficulties
with household activities.
The second category is Hyperactivity-impulsive
behavior, including:
Fidgeting
with hands or feet or squirming in seat
Leaving
seat often, even when inappropriate
Running
or climbing at inappropriate times
Difficulty
in quiet play
Frequently
feeling restless
Excessive
speech
Answering
a question before the speaker has finished
Failing
to await one’s turn
Interrupting
the activities of others at inappropriate times
Impulsive
spending, leading to financial difficulties.
A positive diagnosis is usually only made if the
person has experienced six of the above symptoms
for at least three months. Symptoms must appear consistently
in varied environments (e.g., not only at home or
only at school) and interfere with function. One
of the difficulties in diagnosis is the incidence
of co-morbid conditions.
Children who grow up with ADHD often continue to
have symptoms as they grow into adulthood. Adults
face some of their greatest challenges in the areas
of self-control and self-motivation, as well as executive
functioning (also known as working memory). If the
child is not treated appropriately, co-morbid conditions,
such as depresson, anxiety and self-medicating substance
abuse may present as well. If a patient presents
with such conditions as well, the co-morbid condition
may be treated first, or simultaneously.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
Research has raised possible causes but with no definitive
proof as yet. Some proposed causes include:
A
PET scan study revealing global cerebral glucose
metabolism was 8.1% lower in ADHD patients
A
combination of various genes to do with dopamine
transporters
Children
with ADHD lose zinc when exposed to a food dye
A
lack of fatty acids, specifically omega-3 fatty acids
A
moderate to severe protein deficiency.
Biohazards
including alcohol, tobacco smoke, and lead poisoning.
Allergies,
such as those to artificial additives
Complications
during pregnancy and birth
Premature
birth
Babies
of women who smoked while pregnant
Head
injuries.
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