ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER

Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) has become, in recent years, almost a childhood epidemic. Those diagnosed with the disorder exhibit difficulty paying attention, disorganization, impatience, forgetfulness, distractibility, fidgeting, excessive talking, and impulsiveness. Much controversy surrounds ADD, both in the diagnosis and in the treatment of the disorder. Treatment of ADD generally involves medication such as Ritalin or Adderall. Recent treatment options take a more holistic approach, focusing on dietary needs and restrictions rather than medications.

This diagnosis focused on two types of ADD: ADD with hyperactivity and ADD without hyperactivity. By the time the DSM-IV came out, psychologists assigned many nuances to the disease. For the initial diagnosis of ADD, the following things should be seen in the child. If he has difficulty in maintaining attention to tasks or play activity, if he appears to not listen when being directly spoken to. If he often demonstrates difficulty organizing tasks and activities and avoids or dislikes activities requiring sustained mental focus. If he loses important objects and easily distracted by external stimuli. In the end, if he is forgetful in daily activities.

However, for a diagnosis of ADD with hyperactivity, the following things should be diagnosed. If a child is often fidgets or squirms in seat, and leaves the room in situations, where remaining seated is expected, if he runs or climbs excessively in inappropriate situations. If a child has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly, and if he often talks excessively then there is a possibility of ADD in that child. If the child appears to always be on the go or driven by a motor, if he frequently blurts out answers before questions are finished.

All of the above symptoms must be persistent for duration of at least six months, have an onset before the age of seven, be present in two or more settings, and must lead to a clear impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning (Armstrong, 2003).

ADD is most often treated with medication. Stimulants are prescribed for patients. While it might appear to be counter-intuitive to prescribe stimulants to those already suffering from hyperactivity or inattention, studies have shown that these medications do help alleviate the symptoms of ADD. The two most commonly prescribed medications for those suffering from ADD are Adderall and Ritalin. Other pharmaceuticals prescribed for treating ADD include antidepressants and or anti-hypertensive drugs. Children with attention deficit disorder have ...