Adhd

Is Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder over diagnosed?

Definitions:

Medicine.net (2008) defines Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD as “a family of related chronic neurobiological disorders that interfere with an individual's capacity to: regulate activity level (hyperactivity), inhibit behavior (impulsivity), and attend to tasks (inattention) in developmentally appropriate ways.” These are defined as "disorders" based on the child's stage of development. “No one expects much quiet activity, impulse control, or attention span from the average, normal 2-year-old. But by age 5 or 6, it is expected that the child is beginning to regulate his activity level, control his behavior, and attend to tasks. The ADHD child has not achieved these capacities” (Phillips, 2007, pg1).

The educational definition of “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is a neurobiological disorder. Typically children with AD/HD have developmentally inappropriate behavior, including poor attention skills, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. These characteristics arise in early childhood, typically before age 7, are chronic, and last at least 6 months. Children with AD/HD may also experience problems in the areas of social skills and self esteem’ (NICHCY).

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a general term frequently used to describe individuals that have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder without the hyperactive and impulsive behaviors (Low, 2000).

History:

The disorder of ADHD hasn’t been around for that many years, or at least not any documented cases. The first documentation having to do with this disorder was documented in 1902 relating to children exhibiting symptoms of impulsiveness, inattentiveness, and hyperactivity (NetNews, 2007 pg 1). A physician named Dr. Still from Britain called the disorder “defect of moral control” (Londrie, 2006, pg 1) and alleged that those who suffered from it couldn’t control it. Next documentation wasn’t until 1922, this time ADHD was given the name Post-Encephalitic Behavior Disorder” (Ibid). In 1937 Dr. Charles Bradley introduced children to stimulants who were hyperactive, it was called Benzedrine. It was a new discovery as to why a stimulant would cause hyperactive children to become less stimulated, Bradley couldn’t explain his discovery, he could only report its authenticity (Hallowell 2001). Ritalin was introduced in 1956, which still until this day seems to be used to treat hyperactivity. In the 1960s, the disorder was called "Minimal Brain Dysfunction"(Londrie, 2006). By the end of the late 1960’s, the name of the disorder was altered to "Hyperkinetic Disorder of Childhood.”(Ibid). New symptoms were added to the disorder which included lack of focus and daydreaming connected with impulsiveness. Impulsiveness now incorporated verbal, cognitive and motor aspects of impulsive behavior. In 1980, the name Attention Deficit Disorder with or without the hyperactivity was identified by the American Psychiatric Association. ADD and ADHD were now two different diagnoses. In 1987 ADD was changed to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. A new medication in 1996 called Adderall was approved by the FDA, it was said to be bettering for treating the disorder since it lasted longer and was easier to come off of. 1999- Present several additional medications, such as Concerta, Focalin and Strattera have been approved for the treatment of ADHD (Ibid).

Types:

ADHD behavior is primarily in 3 forms: (a) Hyperactive-impulsive, (b) predominantly inattentive, and (c) combined. Hyperactive-impulsive symptoms include: (a) having a hard time remaining still, (b) fidgets often, (c) they often speak out before thinking, (d) and find it difficult to wait until their turn (e)”always on the go” (f) inappropriate running/climbing. Inattentive symptoms include (a) difficulty keeping their mind focused on one thing, (b) They get bored easily and go from task to task without completing one, (c) They forget easily, (d) does not seem to listen when spoken to directly, (e) forgetful, (f) difficulty organizing. Combined includes a mix of ADD and ADHD inattentive and hyperactive / impulsive criteria (NetNews 2007 Pg 2).

There is no known cause for ADHD, so it’s hard to isolate to one key factor. Most research points to genetic factors, environmental factors or brain damage. Genetics has a strong association with ADHD, it is common for it to run in families. Studies have indicated that 25% of close relatives in the families of ADHD children also have ADHD, where in general population it’s about 5%. The Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Molecular Genetics

Network is searching for a way in which researchers can share ways in which genetics influences ADHD (Strock 2006, pg 16).

The environmental factors that may serve as a cause of ADHD has to deal with the child being exposed to lead, even though paint doesn’t contain lead anymore, older buildings have not all replaced the paint so the child could be exposed and be at risk. Studies have indicated that there could be link between smoking mothers, because the nicotine causes a lack of oxygen in the utero.

Brain injury can occur before or after birth which can happen due to physical injuries. Some children who due suffer from brain injury tend to shows behavioral signs that are similarly to that of ADHD, there has been only a small percentage of ADHD to children with traumatic brain injury (strock, 2006 Pg 15). Nutrition and food can sometimes have an effect on a child’s behavior, studies have shown that children with ADHD lack nutrients important to help the brain function properly. There are different estimates about how many people are affected by ADHD due to the lack of consistent diagnostic measures and criteria used to diagnose the disorder.

Diagnosed:

ADHD is usually diagnosed by professionals in the mental health field. Symptoms must occur beyond the extent that is normal for the person’s age, and must occur in a range of situations. For a diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms must fit specific time-based criteria: they must have appeared before the age of 7, and have continued for at least 6 months (Martin, 2007). Behaviors must be observed in at least two different settings, such as home, work,