What is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a group of chronic disorders that begin in childhood and sometimes last into adult life. In general, children and adults with ADHD have a hard time paying attention and concentrating (inattention), sitting still (hyperactivity) and controlling impulsive behavior (O’Meara, 2002, p.36). These problems can affect nearly every aspect of life. Children and adults with ADHD often struggle with low self-esteem, troubled personal relationships and poor performance in school or at work. ADHA is sometimes referred to as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), but most doctors today prefer ADHD to include the hyperactivity aspect of the condition. It has taken a long time for doctors to come to an agreement as to exactly how to diagnose ADHD, and to whether or not is really is a disorder. Finally in 1998 the National Institute of Mental Health agreed that ADHD is a legitimate condition (Carlson & Mann, 2002, p.124). The most difficult factor for doctors when it comes to ADHD is giving a correct diagnosis. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish a disorder from the normal hyperactivity of children

Two main ways that ADHD is dealt with is through therapy and medications. Most victims benefit from counseling because it is proven that as many as one-third of ADHD victims may also have other conditions such as anxiety and or depression. For these cases counseling can suppress both existing problems (Kowalczyk, 2002, p.1). There are many types of therapy the victims may go through. Some include psychotherapy which let’s the child talk about his/her issues and learn ways to deal with the symptoms, clinical behavior therapy, which helps teachers and parents learn strategies for dealing with children’s behavior, and family therapy, which helps parents and siblings deal with the stress of living with a child who has ADHD (Roland, Umbach, Stallone, & Neftel, 2002, p.231). As far as drug treatment, doctors turn to psychostimulants and occasionally anti-depressants. Drugs like these (such as Ritalin and Concerta) seem to balance the chemical levels in the brain causing a sense of well-being (O’Meara, 2002).

Researchers are not exactly sure of the etiology of this condition, but they have identified several factors that play a key role in the disorder. Of the main causes are altered brain function, heredity, and maternal smo

Some topics in this essay:
Medical Interventions, Stallone Naftel, Children ADHD, Disorder Attention-deficit/hyperactivity, Signs Symptoms, Carlson Mann, ADHD Researchers, Deficit Disorder, Ritalin Concerta, Stallone Neftel, roland umbach, umbach stallone, 2002 p231, o’meara 2002, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, roland umbach stallone, adhd victim, children adhd, 2002 p1, life children adults, therapy helps, symptoms symptoms, umbach stallone naftel, altered brain function, children adults adhd,