The Existence of ADD and ADHD Essay

First step to understanding this disorder is to understand how it is diagnosed and what criteria is required. There are 18 possible symptoms for ADHD that are divided into two categories, inattentive and hyperactivity/impulsive (Barkley 1997). In order to be diagnosed with ADHD an individual must show at least 6 symptoms in one category for 6 months (Barkley 1997). Depending on what category the symptoms were in the child would also be assigned to a subtype, either: predominantly inattentive or predominantly hyperactive/impulsive; but if the individual met criteria for both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive then the child would be diagnoses with ADHD combined (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 2013). Some of the symptoms that fall under the inattentive subtype are inability to stay focused on tasks (i.e. during lectures, conversations,

The first question is what even is ADHD in the first place? It is behavioral problems that are based around three major symptoms. The main symptom that an ADHD sufferer has is that they can’t stay focused on one thing for extended periods of time. They’re easily distracted and have very minimal short term memory. The second main symptom

Inattention is one of the distinguishable traits of ADHD (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). A child suffering from the symptoms of inattention in ADHD would probably lag behind schoolwork, have problems with communicating, and would struggle with cognitive activities like reading and comprehension. APA listed a total of 9 symptoms that are crucial to identifying ADHD in children (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Following is the list of these symptoms and their brief explanation:

In addition to symptoms of ADHD being present by the age of seven the symptoms must affect the person’s life in a number of settings. In addition the symptoms have to not be explained by another mental disorder. If it only occurs alongside a psychotic mood disorder it is not considered ADHD. Inattention in ADHD is classified as making easily avoidable mistakes and ignoring details, usually do to not paying attention. It can happen in any number of settings( Surman, 2013). For example an accountant suffering from some of the innatention aspects of ADHD may not notice they forget to put a decimal point in a number resulting in a much higher number then shoud have been expected. The average adult may catch the mistake but someone someone with at least part of the innatetion aspect will likely move on without a thought in the world. Hyperactivity is demonstrated by inabiltiy to sit still and the need to get up from one's seat to move around. Impulsivity shows itself in a person's inabilty to resist acting on their urges. Usually the person will jump in front of others in a conversation. the person may at random pick up things and start messing with them. For a person to be diagnosised with ADHD a number of the DSM-IV-TR's critera must be met.

The symptoms can often start during the early ages of a child’s life and continue on into adulthood, but symptoms do not always show at a young age(“Treatment”). Some symptoms for inattention include not being able to keep focus during conversations, lectures, or lengthy reading, not listening when one is directly spoken to, not following through with tasks such as school work, getting easily sidetracked, forgetting things throughout the day, and having problems organizing things(“NIMH”). Some signs of hyperactivity could include fidgeting in their seats, talking non stop, blurting out randomly, interrupting in conversations, and constantly being on the go(“NIMH”). Some people could show more symptoms of inattention, and some could show more of hyperactivity, it just depends. ADHD can be mistaken for emotional or disciplinary problems, and also for other disorders that have similar

The research also found that in 2011, only 3.1 percent of children diagnosed with ADHD taking medication to treat the condition. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are the key that are more severe and occur most often in children diagnosed with this disorder (ADHD). Among the most common symptoms of inattention, cited easily are, distraction, forget things, change frequently from one activity to another and having difficulty concentrating. Also, these children tend to get bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless it is a pleasurable activity, or learning something new about completing tasks. In the case of children with symptoms of hyperactivity, often restless, talk endlessly, tend to move from one place to another and have difficulty sitting and staying still for meals and school (Grady, pp.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder most popularly associated with an inability to concentrate has been identified by the American Psychiatric Association as displaying nine possible symptoms. To be diagnosed with ADHD a person must display at least six of the nine symptoms. These symptoms include:

Symptoms of adhd are not paying attention to detail, making careless mistakes, failing to pay attention and keep on task, not listening, being unable to follow or understand instructions, being distracted, fidgeting, squirming, getting up often when seated, running, talking excessively, having trouble playing quietly, and interrupting

Attention Deficit with hyper activity Disorder commonly known as ADHD is classified as a disruptive behavior disorder usually diagnosed in childhood. ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavior disorder of childhood. It appears to be more common in boys than it is girls. This Disorder is more common in boys than in girls and approximately five in one hundred children are affected (Busing). There are three subtypes: Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, predominantly inattentive, combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive (most children have the combined type of ADHD)(nimh.nih.gov).The age of onset of ADHD is usually in preschool to early elementary school years.

One of the many different types of developmental disabilities that a student can be diagnosed is ADHD. In Jun (2009, p.2003) “attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a genuine neurobiological disorder that results in functional impairment of daily activities due to hyperactivity and inattention.” It is exceptionally important for concise communication between the teacher and

ADHD symptoms includes “complications sustaining attention, remaining seated, struggles with quiet activities, often fails to complete tasks, often “on the go”, avoids focusing on

According to Foley (2010), children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were categorized into two groups with nine behaviors associated with each category of ADHD. Behaviors with the inattentive category include failing to pay attention, and making careless mistakes, difficulty keeping that attention, not following through or listening, difficulty organizing, low task persistence, easily distracted, forgetful and losing things. Behaviors associated with the category of hyperactivity include a child being out of their seat and fidgeting, running and climbing excessively,

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD is when an individual has issues focusing on tasks, paying attention, has a tendency to act without thinking, as well as trouble sitting still. The main symptoms of ADHD are hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity. ADHD begins in early childhood and can stay with a person well into adulthood. A child is most often diagnosed with ADHD between the ages of six and twelve. As a person ages their symptoms can change. Hyperactivity and impulsivity stand out most in young children. In elementary age inattention stands out most. In adolescence its restlessness, although inattention and impulsivity may also remain and carry on into adulthood. Life at work, school, and home can be

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder also most commonly known as ADHD is one of the most common disorders among children and young adults. It is not only the most common but is on the rise in the United States over the past decade. Many people turn to the internet to find answers on such a disorder as ADHD. However, one has to be careful in what they read, because some websites are not accurate and have lots of bias towards one thing or another dealing with the subject of ADHD. Everyday Health’s webpage on ADHD is a very informative source and well put together by using authority, coverage and objectivity.

We have chosen to do our project on ADD or otherwise known as Attention Deficit Disorder. Although attention deficit disorder has been a concept for hundreds of years, until fairly recently in the scientific community it has not been considered a disorder. It’s believed that early famous leaders and philosophers such as Napoleon and Galileo could have had ADD or ADHD. Sir Alexander Crichton, who was a Scottish physician and author, describes "mental restlessness" in his book, “An inquiry into the nature and origin of mental derangement”, which was written in 1798. Before this disorder was truly discovered most people thought of it as brain damage or a form of Autism. In 1902 there was an English pediatrician named George Still who became first doctor to begin clearly describing the symptoms of ADD and ADHD. For the next two or three decades there is no real movement on this disorder. Then in the early 1930’s the United States government approved a new amphetamine classed drug called Benzedrine to be used for medical applications. Even though there was no textbook definition for ADD at the time, the first use of stimulants to treat the disorder can be traced back to 1937. The first real published appearance of ADD was in the DSM-1, which dates all the way back to 1952, and is classified as, “minimal brain function.” The last significant change made was in DSM-IV in 1994, which classified ADD and ADHD into three subcategories: ADHD inattentive type, ADHD hyperactive-impulsive