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Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorders (ADD - ADHD)

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorderis a biologically based disorder characterized by a combination of inattentiveness, distractibility, impulsivity, physical restlessness or hyperactive behavior. Children with ADHD have functional impairment across multiple settings including home, school, and peer relationships. ADHD has also been shown to have long-term adverse effects on academic performance, vocational success, and social-emotional development. 		 
  Children do not do well at school or even fail, despite normal and above normal intelligence.

Children with ADHD experience an inability to sit still and pay attention in class and the negative consequences of such behavior. They experience peer rejection and engage in a broad array of disruptive behaviors. Their academic and social difficulties have far-reaching and long-term consequences. These children have higher injury rates. As they grow older, children with untreated ADHD experience drug abuse, antisocial behavior, and injuries of all sorts. For many individuals the impact of ADHD continues into adulthood.

Symptoms

There are three types of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and each has its own set of symptoms. These disorders are referred to as "inattentive", "hyperactive-impulsive" and "combined inattentive/hyperactivity" types.

Children with the "inattentive" type:

  • Have short attention spans
  • Are easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds
  • Do not pay attention to detail or make careless mistakes in school work and other activities
  • Fail to finish school assignments and chores
  • Lose things and are forgetful
  • Don't seem to listen when spoken to directly
  • Have difficulty organizing tasks and play activities

    Children with the "hyperactive-impulsive" type:

  • Feel restless and fidget and squirm
  • Are unable to stay seated or play quietly
  • Run or climb too much or when they should not
  • Talk too much or when they should not
  • Blurt out answers before questions are completed
  • Have trouble taking turns
  • Interrupt others

    Combined attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, the most common type, is a combination of the inattentive and the hyperactive-impulsive types. The symptoms are:

    Inattention
    People who are inattentive have a hard time keeping their mind on one thing and may get bored with a task after only a few minutes. Focusing conscious, deliberate attention to organizing and completing routine tasks may be difficult.

    Hyperactivity
    People who are hyperactive always seem to be in motion. They can't sit still; they may dash around or talk incessantly. Sitting still through a lesson can be an impossible task. They may roam around the room, squirm in their seats, wiggle their feet, touch everything, or noisily tap a pencil. They may also feel intensely restless.

    Impulsivity
    People who are overly impulsive seem unable to curb their immediate reactions or think before they act. As a result, they may blurt out answers to questions or inappropriate comments, or run into the street without looking. Their impulsivity may make it hard for them to wait for things they want or to take their turn in games. They may grab a toy from another child or hit when they are upset.

    Attention-deficit and attention-deficit/hyperactive disorders are generally diagnosed in male children and adolescents. It is estimated to affect three to 5 percent of school-age children and about two to three times more boys than girls are diagnosed. The higher incidence of ADHD among boys may in part be explained by their hyperactive behavior attracting the attention of parents and teachers.

    More recently, the incidence of these disorders among adults has attracted the attention of investigators. Research has shown that up to 70 percent of children diagnosed with ADHD will continue to have symptoms that will significantly interfere with academic, vocational or social functioning in their adult lives. ADHD in adults is sometimes viewed as a "hidden disorder" because symptoms are often masked by problems with relationships, organization, mood disorders, substance abuse, employment or other psychological difficulties. In women the symptoms of ADHD maybe mistaken for depression.

    Since the symptoms of ADHD are common to many other psychiatric and medical conditions and some situational/environmental stressors, evaluation from a qualified professional is necessary for diagnosis. This will rule out other causes and determine the presence or absence of concurring conditions. Such an evaluation should include a clinical assessment of the individual’s academic, social and emotional functioning and developmental abilities. Additional tests may include intelligence testing, measures of attention span and parent and teacher rating scales. A medical exam by a physician is also important.

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