ADHD in children

ADHD in children



ADHD in children

Introduction

Hyperactivity is a symptom, along with impulsiveness and inattention, of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The term hyperactivity refers to an excessive amount of activity or excessive behaviors that are disruptive and maladaptive. The presence of ADHD in childhood is associated with a number of impairments that can persist into adulthood, including problems with school achievement, family, peers, and future occupational performance (Diamond, 2005).

Because of the problems associated with ADHD, concerns about the diagnosis of children with ADHD and with over-medication of the disorder have been raised. Some of these concerns include the role of gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic class on the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and the influence these factors have on outcomes for children and adolescents on school achievement and long-term well-being. Because hyperactivity is nearly always discussed in connection with ADHD, discussion of ADHD will be considered to refer to hyperactivity unless hyperactivity is specifically contrasted with impulsivity or inattentiveness.

Thesis statement

The presence of ADHD in childhood is associated with a number of impairments that can persist into adulthood, including problems with school achievement.

Diagnosis and Prevalence

Diagnosing ADHD in children often begins with information from the parent. The parent can provide information about the age of onset, the symptoms that are exhibited in various settings, how long the symptoms have been present, and the level of impairment. Rating scales, questionnaires, and verbal and written interviews are all necessary components to collect the necessary data (Dreyer, 2006).

Diagnosis of hyperactivity in adolescents and young adults is more difficult than in children for a number of reasons. The criteria for diagnosing ADHD are biased toward children so that physical hyperactivity in childhood is often replaced by mental restlessness in adolescence. In adulthood, only the inattentive symptoms tend to be present, which complicates recognition of adult ADHD.

In addition, in adolescence there is less oversight by teachers and parents of the adolescent's behavior compared to a child's behavior. In secondary schools, an adolescent has between five to eight teachers, and the parent usually has less contact with the adolescent as the adolescent begins to assert independence and spend more time with peers. In addition, ADHD in adolescence and adulthood often occurs with other psychiatric disorders that can mask its effects, such as oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders.

Finally, adolescents do not self-report their symptoms well, tending to underreport their symptoms, and do not cooperate with the diagnostic process as well as younger children. The consequences of not accurately diagnosing ADHD in adolescence or adulthood are profound, for those with ADHD are at greater risk for not completing high school, being suspended or expelled from school, substance use, incarceration, and dismissal from a job than are adolescents and adults without ADHD (Greydanus, 2007).

Controversial Issues

There is controversy concerning the diagnosis of ADHD. Although there is widespread belief among the public that ADHD is uniformly over diagnosed, epidemiological studies have suggested that widespread over diagnosis is not ...