ADHD: What Do
We Do?
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): An overview
Children
who display symptoms of ADHD usually have great difficulty attending to tasks,
or behave overactively and impulsively, or sometimes both. ADHD often appears
before the child starts school. The symptoms of ADHD often interact with each
other. Children who have trouble focusing may turn from task to task, and may
end up running in multiple directions at once. Similarly, constantly moving
children may find it very difficult to attend to tasks or show good judgment.
Often once in the may be more pronounced than others. About half of the
children with ADHD, also have some type of learning or communication problem,
with many performing poorly in school, and
interacting with others. About 80%
misbehave, often quite seriously. It should be noted, that it is also very
common for children with ADHD to have mood and anxiety problems.
Who may get ADHD?
Approximately 5% of schoolchildren display symptoms of ADHD, with about 90%
being boys. While the disorder usually persists throughout childhood, many
children seem to have marked lessening of symptoms as they move into early late
adolescence and early adulthood. About one third of children with ADHD could
probably be diagnosed with the disorder in adulthood. Parents of children with
ADHD are much more likely than others to develop the disorder, with the
prevalence being much higher among relatives of people with attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder.
Do researchers know what
causes ADHD?
Most
contemporary clinicians consider ADHD to have various interacting causes,
including biological, high levels of stress and family dysfunction. None of
these causes however have been examined in isolation, and have received clear
and consistent research support for their individual etiology. Sociocultural
theorists have pointed out that ADHD symptoms and the diagnosis of ADHD in
themselves, may create interpersonal problems and produce additional symptoms in
the child. Frequently, what has been found, is that children who are
hyperactive tend to be viewed negatively by their peers and parents, and often
view themselves quite negatively as well.
What treatment is effective?
There
has been significant controversy about the most effective treatment for ADHD.
The most common approach has been the use of drugs, such as methylphenidate
(Ritalin). These drugs have been found to have a quieting effect on children
with ADHD and increase their ability to solve problems, perform academically,
and control aggression. Behavioral therapy has also been found to be quite
effective for these children. Behavioral therapy teaches parents and teachers
how reward attentiveness or self-control in children. These operant
conditioning treatments are often helpful, especially when combined with drug
therapy.
Information provided by
Ronald J. Comer’s
Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology
Additional
Information and webpage by
Paul Susic
MA
Licensed Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate
(Health and Geriatric Psychologist)
