ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER

Attention Deficit Disorder



Abstract

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is the most common psychiatric conditions, usually found in young children and frequently continues into adulthood. However, people of all age groups can be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. It is a chronic neurobehavioral disorder that is usually combined with hyperactivity and is thus, known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is characterized with excessive restiveness, lack of concentration, distraction, and impulsivity. The treatment of ADHD involves psycho-stimulants, along with alternative and complementary medicine is becoming common. These treatments are very effective and help manage and mitigate the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder. They also improve the patient's ability to function normally.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Discussion2

Types2

Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive2

Predominantly Inattentive2

Combined Hyperactive-Impulsive and Inattentive2

Causes2

Genes2

Environmental Factors3

Brain Injuries3

Psychosocial Causes3

Food Additives4

Symptoms4

Diagnosis4

Treatment5

Behavioral Approaches5

Pharmacological Approaches7

Multimodal Approaches8

Effective Treatment Guidelines for Attention Deficit Disorder Patients8

Effects of Attention Deficit Disorder on Patients10

Conclusion11

References12

Attention Deficit Disorder

Introduction

Attention Deficit Disorder is a developmental disorder that is typically first identified when children are of school aged. According to research by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and on an average out of every thirty children one suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder. On an estimate Attention Deficit Disorder affects 5-10% of the children. It is characterized by age-inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. About an average of 65% children suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder, carry the symptoms well into their adolescence and adulthood (NIMH, 2008).

According to Aguiar, et al. (2010), recently, an increase in the awareness regarding the role of environmental factors in neuro-developmental disorders, the most common of which is Attention Deficit Disorder has come about. An association has been established between environmental exposures and Attention Deficit Disorder. This lead to massive amounts of research conducted on the subject that resulted in familiarity with the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder.

Attention Deficit Disorder impairs the functional domains of the brain and thus, affects the patients' cognition and behavior. The key brain functions implicated in Attention Deficit Disorder are attention, decision-making functions, processing of chronological information, and responses to reinforcement. All of these are vital for adapting behavior. Therefore, the performance of children and adolescents diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder is affected (Aguiar, et al., 2010).

Discussion

Types

Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive

A lot of the manifest symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder are of this category. Here, the patient is extremely hyperactive and cannot seem to control their impulses for long (NIMH, 2008).

Predominantly Inattentive

The majority of symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder belong to this category. Here, the symptoms include extreme inattentiveness. These patients, usually children are highly likely to become victims of lack of activity and face difficulties in getting along with others. These children's Attention Deficit Disorder escapes notice because of their quietness and lack of activity (NIMH, 2008).

Combined Hyperactive-Impulsive and Inattentive

The children suffering from this type of Attention Deficit Disorder have symptoms of both the hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattentiveness combined. Most patients are suffering from the combined type of ADHD (NIMH, 2008).

Causes

Genes

Several studies prove that Attention Deficit Disorder is inherited and is a genetic disorder ...