Abstract

ADHD is a severe health disorder which has various childhood symptoms. However, with constant advancement in the field of medicine and technology, this illness has several treatments too. This research paper also discusses the symptoms, treatments and the history of ADHD. The reference page appends eight sources in APA format.

ADHD

Medical science has discovered various disorders. ADHD is among the common ones. The passages below will briefly discuss the ways of treating this disorder and its varying symptoms after defining this highly damaging disorder.

 

What is ADHD?

A Central Nervous System disorder, ADHD is the acronym for Attention Deficit Hypersensitivity Disorder. Formerly called as “hyperkinesis or minimal brain dysfunction”, ADHD is one of the most widely spread brain disorder that impairs cognitive development more often in children than in adults (NIH Publication No. 96-3572, 1994). After adequate long-drawn sessions of diagnosis, ADHD is treated in various ways.

 

How is ADHD Treated?

Various medical experts including Dr. Thomas Phelan, a Glen Ellyn clinical psychologist believe that due to the lack of acceptance of the diagnosis of this disorder particularly in adults is a serious problem which indirectly promotes this disorder (Karlak, 2001). Therefore, in order to treat this population, it is very important to augment awareness regarding this disorder and the possible ways of treating the same. There are two types of treatments for people with ADHD; pharmacological and non-pharmacological. ADHD is usually treated with the aid of drugs like Ritalin and Methylin as well as amphetamines, such as Dexedrine and Adderal. “The medication can be short or long acting, and dosage will vary by diagnosis. Side effects may be troublesome depending on the child, which is why the child must have follow-up visits to the doctor. These may include weight loss, appetite changes, insomnia and nervous tics” ( Jefferson , 2002).

Other treatments for ADHD include “tutoring and special education, behavioral therapy and family-group psychotherapy” ( Jefferson , 2002). Also, self-help and self-healing are possible treatments employed. Experts place a great amount of significance on the need to have “structured home and school environment” in order to inculcate various coping skills, suitable study habits and sense of discipline and responsibility into children. Moreover, some pragmatic tips for parents to handle children suitably thereby preventing ADHD include the following as suggested by an expert: ( Jefferson , 2002)

•  Parents must be assertive in limiting television watching as well as the time duration for video gaming and radio or music listening.

•  Furthermore, parents must assign specific duties to their children for example “empty the trash in the bathroom and kitchen, rather than just directing them to take out the trash”. This is because, as explained by an ADHD expert, “television, radio and video games are all stimulants and impede the abilities of children with ADD and ADHD to concentrate, relax and sleep” ( Jefferson , 2002).

•  Also, with the help of “behavior modification therapy”, patients with ADHD cab be taught organizational skills and time management while utilizing things like day planners or electronic organizers (Karlak, 2001).

•  Creating strict routines with extra hours for exercise is also a way to treat ADHD. (Weinstein, 1994)

•  Splitting major tasks into minor ones can also greatly help reduce anxiety. (Weinstein, 1994)

Thus by following specific steps for diagnosing the problem and the type of ADHD, this mental disorder can be treated with the aid of various therapies that help sufferers learn coping strategies.

 

Knowing the history of ADHD is also beneficial and thus the next section of our research paper.

 

History of ADHD

Although it is generally believed that ADHD was discovered in the early 90s, its history dates back to the seventeenth century (Penrice, 1996) when in 1848 Fidgety Phil displayed signs of hyperactivity. In the year 1902, George Fredrick came across an entire group of children who displayed symptoms of what we today call ADHD. However, after the “outbreak of encephalitis” in the years 1917 and 1918 ADHD came to be known as “Post-Encephalitic Disorder and Minimal Brain Damage” later paving the way for another title, “Minimal Brain Dysfunction” ( Penrice, 1996 ). By the middle of 1960s treatments using stimulant drugs were employed in order to treat such groups of children. 1970s “revealed the neurological origin of ADD” ( Penrice, 1996 ) and with fast-paced research coupled with the advancement of technology, today both the medical world and the public know much more about this disorder which has some clear genetic causes. ( Penrice, 1996 )

ADHD: Childhood Symptoms

ADHD caused due to genetic influence as well as due to bad parenting, inadequate nutrition and “excessive television watching” (Hunt, 2001) and hormonal imbalance is considered to be one of the United States' most common cognitive disorders among children thereby impairing mental development of American children up to 3 to 5 percent of this sectored population (NIH Publication No. 96-3572, 1994). What makes this mental disorder more frightening is the fact that about sixty percent of patients with this disorder continue to show similar symptoms way into adulthood (What is ADHD?). Symptoms of this disorder are three times more obvious and found in boys than girls (NIH Publication No. 96-3572, 1994). Capable of causing a lifetime disability to perceive and perform up to the mark, symptoms of this disorder must be identified the sooner the better.

 

As Dr. Lori Buffa highlights, patients with Attention Deficit Hypersensitivity Disorder display symptoms of attention deficit hypersensitivity disorder that are typical of three classifications namely “inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity” ( Jefferson , 2002). Lack of parental attention and special care that a child needs in his or her growing years generates symptoms in children, some which include “not paying attention, making careless mistakes, not listening, not finishing tasks, not following directions and being easily distracted” (What is ADHD). Also, incapacity of organization, lack of ability to maintain attention, incapability to finish tasks that require persistent effort are some of the commonly known differing symptoms of ADHD ( Jefferson , 2002). Moreover, symptoms pertaining to this disorder based on hyperactivity include “fidgeting, talking excessively, running around at inappropriate times, interrupting others and having difficulty awaiting turns” (What is ADHD), squirming, climbing in an inappropriate manner and finding it hard to keep up with other normal children in extra-curricular activities (Jefferson, 2002). Symptoms showing signs of impulsivity in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include “blurting out answers, interrupting and inability to wait his or her turn” ( Jefferson , 2002).

Conclusion

Although ADD or ADHD is no doubt a highly disturbing as well as a hazardous mental disorder, with the advancement of technology and innovation, newer and more effective ways of treating this mental illness are being invented thereby producing real hope for the patients and their loved ones who can be of massive support to such children. Therefore, as experts in the related field suggest, people with ADHD must “set a goal, reach a goal” and bring substantive changes in their lives by knowing that they are not alone in this painful struggle and by remaining adamant to perform like other normal human beings (Karlak, 2001).

Bibliography

 

“Attention Deficit Hypersensitivity Disorder” (1994). NIH Publication No. 96-3572, Printed 1994, Reprinted 1996. Booklet 44p

Jefferson R. S (2002). “Modern Stresses worsens attention deficit problems, doctor says”. St. Louis Post-Dispatch , 06/19 .

Karlak P (2001). “The hyperactive adult: Most people associate attention deficit hyperactive disorder with kids. But what happens when those youngsters grow up?” Daily Herald ( Arlington Heights , IL ), 07/16.

Weinstein, C (1994). "Cognitive Remediation Strategies”. Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research. 3(1):44-57, 1994.

 

Hunt R (2001). “An update on assessment and treatment of complex attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder”, Pediatric Annals March , 30: (3) 163.

Penrice R. (1996). “A History of ADD” . ADD News for Christian Families , July/August