ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder



Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Introduction

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD for short, Eng. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)) - neurological- behavioral developmental disorder that begins in childhood. Manifested by such symptoms as difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity and impulsivity, poorly managed. ADHD and its treatment cause a lot of controversy starting from 1970. The existence of ADHD is questioned several doctors, teachers, politicians, parents and the media. Some believe that ADHD does not exist at all; others believe that there are genetic and physiological causes of this condition. Many do not agree with that used for the treatment of ADHD stimulant medications (Faraone, 2005).

What is it?

People with a disorder of attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have difficulty concentrating, be careful and to complete tasks in the least complex. They often have trouble staying up, waiting their turn and often act on impulse. Although these behaviors can be found in all human beings, they are present in a pronounced and unusually prolonged in those with ADHD. They are also present in all the circumstances of life (not only at school or just at home, for example).

ADHD Ritalin and the Brain

Lack of full understanding of ADHD has led scientists to the question of how to treat ADHD. Although at the time that it is not curable, it is the methods that scientists have developed to cope with the symptoms of ADHD, appear. These approaches range until the end of psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, pyschostimulant prescription drugs.

The most popular of these drugs include amphetamines such as Adderall and Ritalin and methylphenidate. The use of these drugs has caused controversy among scientists and American society as a whole. If you do not understand, the exact nature of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is advisable to use drugs such as methylphenidate to treat him. Although studies on short-term use of these drugs have shown very favorable results in reducing symptoms of ADHD, currently there were no conclusive studies to show long-term effects methylphenidate(Cuffe, 2004).

ADHD in adolescents and adults

ADHD is most often observed in children than in adults. It has indeed been much studied in children. It remains however to adolescence in 40% to 70% of cases and into adulthood in about half of children who are affected. . An estimated 4% of adults suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Sometimes, ADHD is diagnosed until adulthood.

Three characteristic ADHD symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. They may be present in varying degrees. For example, a child still "in the moon", which does not finish his homework, that does not retain the instructions and constantly loses his belongings, but that is not particularly agitated could be diagnosed with ADHD. Another, especially hyperactive, impulsive and restless, but that happens to focus on relatively well when the tasks of interest could also be achieved. In general, hyperactivity and impulsivity are more pronounced in boys than in girls.

In the vast majority of people, ADHD has a neurological origin, which may depend on heredity and environmental ...