... Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Have you ever known someone who struggles with being unorganized, unable to listen, have behavior problems or interrupts conversations frequently? Have you ever thought that their brain is wired a little differently? That question is the essence of ADHD. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is defined as a “persistent pattern of inattention and / or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequent and severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development (APA, p. 78).” Since there is an abundance of information concerning this topic, this paper will focus on the nature and effects of ADHD, highlighting cognitive and genetic research, while taking into consideration the role of culture. Nature of ADHD The clinical history of the behavioral syndrome underlying the ADHD diagnosis can be traced back over 200 years in medical literature (Palmer and Finger, 2001). Currently, ADHD is a diagnosis formulated by the American Psychiatric Association (APA, 1994) on the basis of clinical criteria. The criteria describes chronic behavioral symptoms of inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity that are presented to a degree that significantly interfere with a person’s family and peer relations as well as their educational and or occupational functioning. There are, according to the current DSM IV TR criteria, three main sub-types...
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...Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Have you ever known someone who struggles with being unorganized, unable to listen, have behavior problems or interrupts conversations frequently? Have you ever thought that their brain is wired a little differently? That question is the essence of ADHD. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is defined as a “persistent pattern of inattention and / or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequent and severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development (APA, p. 78).” Since there is an abundance of information concerning this topic, this paper will focus on the nature and effects of ADHD, highlighting cognitive and genetic research, while taking into consideration the role of culture. Nature of ADHD The clinical history of the behavioral syndrome underlying the ADHD diagnosis can be traced back over 200 years in medical literature (Palmer and Finger, 2001). Currently, ADHD is a diagnosis formulated by the American Psychiatric Association (APA, 1994) on the basis of clinical criteria. The criteria describes chronic behavioral symptoms of inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity that are presented to a degree that significantly interfere with a person’s family and peer relations as well as their educational and or occupational functioning. There are, according to the current DSM IV TR criteria, three main sub-types of ADHD: The mainly hyperactive / impulsive sub-type (314...
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...Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, these tasks can be somewhat a difficult challenge. Inside of the public school system, ADHD has doubled its numbers from previous findings ten years ago. For three years, I have worked with adolescent teens in the foster care system that was placed inside behavioral facilities. One of the common diagnoses of the teens included ADHD. Seeing first hand the affects of ADHD, I chose this topic to further expand my knowledge of ADHD and what strategies could maximize learning within the classroom. One of my goals as an educational psychologist is to complete research that will help teachers instruct students with ADHD. Teachers are responsible for educating the minds of not only students who are gifted and talented, but also for the minds who have difficulty learning. Although children with ADHD experience significant academic and behavioral difficulties, research suggests that the majority...
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...Over-prescribing of ADHD Medication to Children Lesley M. Thomas University of Houston- Clear Lake What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? According to the National Library of Medicine, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is defined as, “a problem of not being able to focus, being overactive, not being able to control behavior, or a combination of these.” (www.nlm.nih.gov) For a diagnosis of this disorder, generally referred to simply as ADHD, these issues must be out of the normal range for a person’s age and development. Although the majority of diagnoses are given to children and adolescents, there are also a vast number of ADHD cases diagnosed for adults. The purpose of my research paper is to offer background on this disorder, discuss the psychopharmacology of its treatment options, and to discuss whether ADHD medication is over-prescribed to children. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) states that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity has three different subtypes. Those subtypes are Predominantly Inattentive, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive, and a combination of the two. In order for the Predominantly Inattentive subtype to be used, at least six or more symptoms of inattention must be both present and persistent for at least six months. However, there must be fewer than six symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity. For usage of the Hyperactivity-Impulsivity subtype to be used, there must be a persistent presence of at least six...
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...Research Paper Outline Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder I. Introduction a. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADD, or ADHD to others is defined as a chronic condition b. which includes: attention difficulty, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. c. Clinically illustrated, ADD is present in more than 3 million US cases per year. II. History a. (ADD vs. ADHD, compare amount of cases per year, b. when it was recognized as a mental disorder, types of ADD c. Sir Alexander Crichton III. Epidemiology a. (Who is at risk?) ADD is a childhood-onset, clinically heterogenous disorder of inattention hyperactivity and impulsivity. b. (How many are affected?) 3-5 of school age population c. Ethnicity involvement IV. Where a. Where is it found? b....
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...individual in three main cognitive domains: memory, attention and creativity. At their most basic meaning, memory can be defined as the ability to recall events or learned material; attention, to focus in something while ignoring distracters; and creativity, to conceive original and useful ideas or products (Lanni et al., 2008). There are other types of cognitive enhancers, such as electrical brain stimulation and psychotropic drugs, which will not be discussed in this paper. Many of the medications used by healthy individuals to enhance cognitive abilities were designed for other purposes, specially treating some traits of mental illnesses....
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...Mental Illness Paper Carolyn Maxine Hughes HCR/240 University of Phoenix Dr. Mary Lou Jenkins 3/10/2012 Abstract In this paper, I will be attempting to the mental illness of ADHD (attention deficit disorder). In the first paragraph there will be a discussion on the history, including any myths or misconceptions of ADHD. In some of the other paragraph there will be a detailed discussion of the other points such as the neurotransmitters that are associated with this type of a illness. I will try to familiarize individuals as to how the environment in which they stay in will detract from a successful treatment of ADHD. In the final paragraph I will discuss how the treatments today of this illness compare to the diagnosis and treatments of the past. A list of the professionals involved in the treatment, diagnosis of ADHD will also be mentioned. Mental Illness Paper Attention deficit disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue on through adolescence and adulthood. Some symptoms may include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over- activity). ADHD is characterized by prominent symptoms of inattention and/ or hyperactivity and impulsivity. These symptoms can lead to difficulty in academic, emotional, and social functioning. Studies in the United States indicate approximately 8%- 10% of children satisfy diagnostic criteria for...
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... The attempt to classify it as a disease has failed. There are four categories of disease in the medical world: infectious, contagious, traumatic, and systemic. Infectious and contagious diseases have to do with germs so we can rule those out as classifications. Traumatic indicates an outside force such as head trauma or nervous system trauma so that is also ruled out. Systemic diseases happen when the cells or chemicals of the body begin to malfunction such as cancer. This is not correct for ADHD either and so it is not a disease (Stein 23-24). Doctors turn to other causes and classifications of this disorder including genetics. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often appears to run in families, and research studies have suggested that there may be a genetic component to this disorder. Individuals diagnosed with ADHD may have close blood relatives with the disorder (Muenke). Unfortunately, he mentions nothing about a chromosome link because there is no chemical proof of genetics. His statement is the same as if I were to say that my close blood relatives liked the same type of...
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...for playing games” (Spekman et al. 2153). Further confusion is caused by the fact that there has been relatively little research done on videogame addiction (“Videogame Addiction and its Treatment” 248). Videogame popularity has soared in recent decades, and the problem of excessively playing them is fairly new. Therefore, there has not yet been as much opportunity for researching them as there has been with gambling addiction or alcoholism. Despite this, the current research on this subject suggests that excessively playing videogames is a problem that does need to be treated. In a study done by Spekman et al. criteria similar to that outlined in the previous edition of the DSM-5 was applied to discover whether excessive playing of videogames may qualify as an addiction. 1,004 boys between the ages of eleven to eighteen were surveyed about their videogame habits (2150). Of those, 8.57% of the boys were categorized as problematic gamers, or gamers who played more than four hours per day scale (2153). The boys who displayed addictive behaviors—as measured against several different addiction scales—are the ones most likely qualify as “addicted” to videogames (2145). They discovered that video gaming in itself is not addictive, but it may be addictive to those who have personalities which are sensitive to addiction (2145). Furthermore, “the findings in this paper as well as recent empirical studies warrant a reconsideration of including pathological gaming in the DSM-V…it is valuable...
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...that involves diminished social interaction, qualitative impairments in communication skills, and the presence of restricted and repetitive behavioral patterns. To be diagnosed as autistic an individual, one must have six qualities from the listed domains above, with at least two items from the diminished social interaction, and at least one item from the remaining two domains. Many treatment methods and ideas have surfaced concerning the best way to go about treating this social disorder. Of the multitude of methods, a few have gained popularity, but applied behavioral analysis, pharmacological treatment, and parental training seem to have the most research available on them. The focus of this paper is to review these different types of treatment methods and show where they succeed and where they fall short. In a research article by Lovaas (1987), two groups of young autistic children were formed. The first was the experimental group that consisted of intensive applied behavioral analysis treatment for over forty hours per week. The other group (control group) was subjected to only ten hours or less of treatment per week. The focus of the investigation was to assess the effects of intensive applied behavioral analysis treatment on the autistic childrens’ IQ’s. It was hypothesized that the children with the more intensive therapy would excel above the control group and “catch up with their normal peers by first grade” (Lovaas 1987). The experiment was conducted with...
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...Abstract In this research paper it famous and influential people were observed with Attention hyperactive disorder. With the use of the DSM IV our classroom text book and various internet resource this paper goes through the use of Ritalin and how people are commonly diagnosed with ADHD and do not have the disorder. Widespread use of medication and doctors immediately jump to prescribing medications such as Ritalin. Robert daydreamed so much that he was pulled out of school. Frank went into such trancelike dreams that one had to shout at him to bring him back. Equally problematic were Sam's restlessness and verbal diatribes. Virginia, too, demonstrated a tendency to talk on and on. Thomas experienced school problems, in part because of his high energy. Nick's tendency to act without thinking caused him to have several scrapes with death and near-tragedies, such as plunging to the earth from the roof of a barn, clutching an umbrella”. These are examples of situations that are common to many children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Children with ADHD tend to have creative and unique ways of thinking, and many problems focusing on one task, especially in school situations. Today children with this disorder are frequently prescribed medications to control their attention and/or hyperactivity. But are we doing what is in the best interest for children, or making it easier on the adults who have to deal with these children daily? In the previous stated...
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...Dean’s List And More A Research Essay About Why College Students Are Using and Abusing Stimulants To Get By February, 2014 Abstract Prescription stimulant use as academic performance enhancers is increasingly widespread among college students and the prescription stimulant use as "cognitive enhancers" has been described among undergraduate college students. Adderall and Ritalin are the most popular among the students. Some use the drugs to stay awake to study to get by with good grades, even with acknowledgement of the dangers of using. However, the use of prescription stimulants among future graduated students is at risk. Table of Contents Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………... 2 Chapter 1 ……………………………………………………………………………..….. 4 Purpose of the Study ……………………………………..……………… 4 Statement …………………………………………………..……………. 4 Research Questions …………………………………………..…………. 5 Significance of the Study ……………………………………..………… 5 Delimitation ……………………………………………..……………… 5 Definition of Terms …………………………………………..………… 6 Chapter 2 Literature Review…………………………………………………………….. 7 Chapter 3 Research Methods …………………………………………………………… 18 References ………………………………………………………….…………………… 22 Appendix A ……………………………………………………………………………… 23 Dean’s List and More Nature of Study If you are a full time student with heavy load of courses while working to support your lifestyle, then you will be worrying where you can find the time. Undergraduate college students do stress...
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...Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children Ronda Real RES/110 Introduction to Research and Information Utilization March 31, 2010 Don Hull Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children Ever been in a restaurant, in a classroom, or in church and seen a child who cannot sit still, concentrate, or talks constantly and wonder what is wrong with the child? The child may have Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. Within this paper the following questions will be answered, the definition of ADHD, the cause of ADHD, the symptoms of ADHD and if the symptoms differ in boys and girls, the different treatments for ADHD. Definition of ADHD If one has seen the children who cannot sit still, concentrate, or talks constantly and wonders if the child has ADHD then one needs to know the definition of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. According to Mayo Clinic (2009), the definition of "attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often persists into adulthood. Problems associated with ADHD include inattention and hyperactive, impulsive behavior. Children with ADHD may struggle with low self-esteem, troubled relationships and poor performance in school" (Definition, para. 1). Within this clinics definition of ADHD there is an estimated three percent to five percent of children who are affected in the United States...
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... et al). According to Dr. Matthew Smith, Ritalin wasn’t even considered for use in children with behavioral issues until many years after its introduction. It was originally marketed as a “pep” pill. Advertisements were aimed towards the elderly, and housewives whom lacked the energy to get all their work done around the house. The pharmaceutical company Ciba, whom created Ritalin, did not receive approval to market the drug to underachieving school children until 1962 (Smith). ADHD later became the diagnosis for both children and adults who were observed as having concentration and behavioral issues. Whether or not too many people are being diagnosed and medicated for ADHD has certainly been a hot topic of debate for many years now. Research does show that medical professionals are overprescribing ADHD medications. Trends have indicated a rise in diagnosis along with drug treatment, the ADHD drug industry is booming, and ADHD prescriptions are easily obtained by those seeking them. Today, ADHD drugs are prescribed to both children and adults who have been diagnosed with the disorder. Many of us had friends, or at least knew of classmates, that were labeled as having ADHD back in grade school. It is the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder of children, and the mid-90’s witnessed a huge increase in both ADHD diagnoses and Ritalin prescriptions (“Are ADHD”). The numbers have only risen ever since. Statistics were observed again in the 2000’s, and “a trend of...
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...stable peer relations. Researchers has declare that there are three problematic areas of functioning. The three areas are high rate disruptive and aggressive behavior; communication problems; and social-information processing performance problems. These problems interfere with social and peer relationship. When there is high rate disruptive and aggressive behavior present it makes it hard for children to cope with others. It make the child to be disruptive, and noisy in their interaction with other peers. In addition, they are more aggressive, controlling, defiant, and have increased emotion. They are often more in verbal conflict than normal. Children with ADHD, often times have trouble with communication skills. According to research kids without ADHD, oppose to those with ADHD tend to respond at a less frequent rate. The communication skills are normally choppy, and may have problems with engaging in conversation according to their age. To add, children tend to have social-information processing performance problems. These problems causes them to a deficit is social-cognitive skills. Also, children exhibit a problem with social problem solving skills. When the problems are present they have a very high level of aggression. Consequently, they are ruled by the aggression, they think that’s how they solve their problems. This is more prevalent in males oppose to females (Dumas, 1998). Assessments There are many assessment for ADHD, and they vary from clinicians...
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