ADHD

Adult Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)



Abstract

In this paper we will discuss the main symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The paper will analyze the prevalence, characteristics and the treatment of ADHD. This paper will also emphasize upon how ADHD affects lives of people. Finally it will overall identify the causes of ADHD, an inability to associate a certain behavior to its consequences and how it can be diagnosed.

Adult Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Introduction

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the name given to a group of behaviors found in many adults. People with ADHD are hyperactive or distracted most of the time. Even when they try to concentrate, they have a difficulty in paying attention. Adult People with ADHD have difficulty organizing things, listening to instructions, remembering details and controlling their behavior. Therefore, people with ADHD often have trouble getting along with others at home, at school or work. There are three main types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), inattentive type, the hyperactive /impulsive and combined type (there are discussions about the compatibility of the inattentive type and hyperactive). It is essential to analyze the risk factors and cognitive strategies of those affected by ADHD.

Discussion

It is now commonly accepted, in contrast to previous belief that ADHD often persists into adulthood. The National Co morbidity Survey (NCS) estimates a 3% adult prevalence of ADHD versus about 7% in childhood. Thus, one might conclude that about half the children with ADHD continue to experience those symptoms into adulthood (Conrad, 2000). If two sets of symptoms overlap 86% of the time, it does not make sense to me to persist in viewing those symptoms as separate, as opposed to one overall set of symptoms. Hence, if there is such a thing as adult ADHD, then people are referring to perhaps 14% (excluding the mood disorder overlap group) of the original 3% prevalence rate, which is 0.42%. What about this group? And what about the course-of-illness studies that indicates that many children with ADHD continue to have those symptoms into adulthood. Such course-of-illness studies are rarely controlled; I have found only one study that had a normal population control. Adults were examined for ADHD-like cognitive symptoms, and then their histories were examined for ADHD in childhood (Wender, 2000).

Prevalence of ADHD

The diagnosis of ADHD in adults is based on a history of childhood ADHD. Children with ADHD are at increased risk of certain Co morbidities along with their disorder during childhood and adolescence, especially anxiety disorders, affective (depression) and obsessive compulsive disorder, substance abuse, and antisocial personality disorder. Adults have further complicated by a variety of psychiatric disorders in children such as an increased risk of problems resulting from substance abuse, depression, anxiety, increased risk of traffic accidents, as well as sexually transmitted disease. It should be noted that the adult from a child had to create mechanisms and resources to compensate for their lack of attention and can be functional in their academic life and work, at the expense of considerable ...