Premium Essay

Overcoming ADHD: A Brain Disorder

Submitted By
Words 342
Pages 2
When asked what sparked my interest in the brain, I always have an answer: my brain.

I have ADHD, a brain disorder that makes it hard for me to focus. ADHD has made me struggle through high school more than I would have otherwise. Reading takes three times longer than it does for someone without ADHD. Not interrupting people takes incredible willpower. Throughout high school, I have attempted to make the most of my disorder, but that doesn’t mean I’ve accepted it. Determined to excel despite this secret setback, I have strived to find solutions to overcome my ADHD.

These solutions have shown up in unexpected places like in my school’s science project requirement, and I decided to take my projects a step further by competing in my county

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Adhd in Children: Medication and the Natural Approach

...ADHD in Children: Medication and the Natural Approach Amanda Nance COM156 January 8th, 2012 Leah Omilion ADHD in Children: Medication and the Natural Approach Making ADHD medication decisions for your child can be difficult, but doing your homework can help. The first thing to understand is exactly what the medications for ADD and ADHD can and can’t do and to know that it isn’t a magic pill that will fix all of your or your Childs’ problems. Medication can help reduce the symptoms of hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity but they also come with many risks. The negative effects of stimulant medication in children with ADHD are staggering; however, there is a natural approach that can be just as effective. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a neurological disorder characterized by developmentally inappropriate impulsivity, inattention, and in some cases, hyperactivity. It is estimated by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) that 3%-7% of school-aged children have ADHD1. ADHD is characterized by many symptoms including the following: • Poor concentration, distractibility, impulsive behavior, careless mistakes, difficulty in controlling anger. • Inability to complete tasks, difficulty sustaining attention toward tasks. • Hyperactive behavior, excessive activity, fidgeting, squirming, running, climbing excessively. • Poor listening...

Words: 1643 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Current Trends in Nutrition

...Current Trends in Nutrition The Role of Omega-3 Nutritional Supplements in Treating Childhood Dyslexia Dyslexia is a literacy disorder whose exact cause remains unknown. It does not affect IQ or other cognitive function, but can profoundly impair reading ability. It is believed that heredity plays a role, and several studies have sought to determine whether degree of deficiency of fatty acids in the diet could also be a contributing factor ( Richardson AJ, 2000). Dyslexia has been linked to clinical signs of fatty acid deficiency in adults, so the question of treating developmental dyslexia in children with fatty acid supplements has been raised as a possible safe and effective treatment (Taylor KE, 2000). There is a growing trend among holistic practitioners and drug manufacturers alike, to develop and market supplements to treat dyslexia, and as the disorder has such far-reaching consequences in academic success, self-esteem, and social interaction for those who suffer from it, the market is quite receptive to new treatment approaches. (Evans R 1999) Given that development of nutritional dyslexia treatment is a relatively new endeavor in the scientific community, review of current and recent research on the matter is appropriate. Evaluating proposed treatments and commercially-prepared nutritional supplements will be more effective with a background understanding of the issue. Research studies have reported that dyslexic children are deficient in body stores of...

Words: 3530 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Tma2

...psychological life ... have as their biological bases the activity of neuronal systems in the brain’ (p.259). Does this mean that psychological life can be reduced to neuronal activity? Illustrate your answer with examples from Chapter 4, ‘Biological psychology’, from Book 1, mapping psychology The case study of Phineas Gage referred as being within the subject of Biological Psychology. As we human beings are a “biological species”, we need to be able to understand our biological make-up, to further study the Physiological field, only once we can fully understand the different part of our bodies, including the brain can we then apply Psychological research methods to study & develop understanding . Science constantly evolves to study and gain understanding, which then can lead to data interpretation methods like Psychological .The Theorist Crick,-: His belief and scientific approach called “Reductionism” (Mapping Psychology, Pg 230) Suggests that “Potentially all psychological events and experiences can fully and only explained in terms of the activity within the components of the brain”. Other Scientists do however argue that there should be a much broader view taken, and other views et should be considered.(Bolton and Hill, 1996, Stevens, 1996: Toates, 2001) These other theorists, and studies are suggested (Mapping Psychology, Pg 230) as having equally possible explanations of how our brains components affect our actions and how we are. Phineas Gage, the study and interpretation...

Words: 3420 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Restorative Practice Approach To Resolving Conflicts

...Depression is a mental health condition characterised by feeling intensely sad, low and moody for prolonged periods of time. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders experienced. If depression is not treated or dealt with correctly, it can keep people from functioning normally and affect every aspect of their life, often leading to social isolation, and in the worst case scenario, can result in suicide. According to the Australia Institute of Health and Welfare (2007), a mental disorder affects one in four young people. Of all age groups, 18-24 year olds have the highest prevalence of mental disorders and the leading cause of death in 15-24 year olds is youth suicide (ABS, 2012). In Australia in 2010, mental and behavioural disorders accounted for 12.9% of the total...

Words: 997 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Odom

...life, such as concentration, focus, reading, math, or writing. Many people that are diagnosed with a learning disability have more than one. LD has always been difficult to define as a disorder, but is typically seen as “unexpected” underachievement (Swanson, Harris, and Graham 2003). There are many tools and techniques that have been developed to help these people cope with their disability. Many disabilities are diagnosed early in life when a child is noticed to have difficulty communicating effectively, speaking, reading, writing, solving a math problem, or any other task that should be performed at their appropriate age level. There are many different types of learning disabilities that have been identified. Some of the more common ones are dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia. Although they are not classified as learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism also present learning difficulties. Dyslexia is the most common, and most well known, learning disability. According to Montgomery (2007), “The term “dyslexia” is used as a shortened version of “specific developmental dyslexia” for individuals who have an unexpected difficulty in learning symbol codes at a level in accord with their intellectual ability (p.65). This means that dyslexia is a disorder that makes it difficult to read, write, spell, and sometimes speak. Usually the term learning disability is usually used in...

Words: 1155 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Integration of Working Memory Training

...memory has been a growing topic of interest in the field of Speech Language Pathology. It affects all aspects of children’s development, including speech, language, reading, and classroom success. Working memory deficits are prevalent in people with schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), traumatic brain injuries, learning disabilities, specific language impairment (SLI), and intellectual disabilities (Van der Molen, Van Luit, Van der Molen, Klugkist, & Jongmans, 2010). With the rising awareness of how working memory deficits can effect children’s development, the question of whether speech language pathologists should assess and treat these deficits has been asked more and more. Assessing and treating working memory deficits are key and can help many different populations improve in their speech and language development. Assessment for working memory deficits and working memory training should be standard and included into the normal regime. The following paper will touch on what working memory is. As well as how a deficit in working memory can effect children’s development, whether they are typically developing children, or children with other disorders. Some assessment options and then training techniques of working memory will be introduced as well. What is Working Memory? Working memory requires the ability to attend to new information, retain incoming information, and manipulate the new information (Riccio, Cash, & Cohen, 2007). It...

Words: 3112 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Children

...Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in Children | What is OCD? Clinically Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder, characterized by the inability to restrain obsessive thoughts for sustained periods. In extremis, sufferers obsess identical thoughts for years, in an endlessly exhausting cycle. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) usually begins in adolescence or young adulthood and is seen in as many as 1 in 200 children and adolescents. OCD is characterized by recurrent intense obsessions and/or compulsions that cause severe discomfort and interfere with day-to-day functioning. Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are unwanted and cause marked anxiety or distress. Frequently, they are unrealistic or irrational. They are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems or preoccupations. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or rituals (like hand washing, hoarding, keeping things in order, checking something over and over) or mental acts (like counting, repeating words silently, avoiding). In OCD, the obsessions or compulsions cause significant anxiety or distress, or they interfere with the child's normal routine, academic functioning, social activities, or relationships. The obsessive thoughts may vary with the age of the child and may change over time. A younger child with OCD may have persistent thoughts that harm will occur to himself or a family member, for example an intruder entering an unlocked door...

Words: 2545 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Sleep and Sleep Disorder in Early Childhood

...There is much to be learned about the ins and outs of sleep such as how much it provides for the body and the brain and how to best manage a person’s ability to “sleep well”. Examining sleep from a parent’s perspective is something I never thought about before. However, I know first-hand how proper sleep, and lack of proper sleep may affect children’s behavior. I clearly recall being in the hospital when my oldest was only a day old, walking the floors trying to soothe him to sleep. Even now, at four, he still wakes in the middle of the night and comes down the hall to my room. My two-year old daughter is better with her sleep. However, she began climbing out of her crib just after turning two and we made the move to a toddler bed shortly after. It is quite a challenge for her to fall asleep; when she does, she does not stay in her room and wakes up during the night. It occurs to me that my son has never learned to become a good sleeper and it has affected many areas of his life. He is often tired but refuses to sleep; he is cranky and quick to show emotions in extremes with very large tantrums. These symptoms are more contained and less noticeable when he sleeps through the night and/or goes to sleep at a reasonable time. Similarly, my daughter refuses to sleep and misses naps, or has shortened them considerably when she does nap. We observed that after a night of multiple waking, and/or short or missed naps, she will have what we have learned are possibly Night Terrors...

Words: 1934 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Human Services

...Page 1 Stanley H. King Counseling Recommended Reading A COLLECTION OF TITLES RELATED TO THIS WORK: Many of these titles have been suggested by past Institute participants. Please let us know if there are resources that you have found useful in your life and work, and we will add to the list. Apter, Terri E. MYTH OF MATURITY: WHAT TEENAGERS NEED FROM PARENTS TO BECOME ADULTS. 2002 Brown, Lyn Mikel. GIRLFIGHTING: BETRAYAL AND REJECTION AMONG GIRLS. 2005 Cloke, Kenneth. MEDIATING DANGEROUSLY. 2001 Clydesdale, Tim. THE FIRST YEAR OUT: UNDERSTANDING AMERICAN TEENS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL. 2007 Crawford, Susan H. BEYOND DOLLS & GUNS: 101 WAYS TO HELP CHILDREN AVOID GENDER BIAS. 1995 Deak, JoAnn and Barker, Teresa. GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS: RAISING CONFIDENT AND COURAGEOUS DAUGHTERS. 2003 Deak, JoAnn. HOW GIRLS THRIVE: AN ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR EDUCATORS (AND PARENTS). 2010 Dovidio, John F. and Gaertner, S. PREJUDICE, DISCRIMINATION, AND RACISM. 1986 Dweck, Carol. MINDSET: THE NEW PSYCHOLOGY OF SUCCESS. 2007 Elkind, David. ALL GROWN UP AND NO PLACE TO GO: TEENAGERS IN CRISIS. 1998 Elkind, David. HURRIED CHILD: GROWING UP TOO FAST TOO SOON. 2006 Germer, Christopher K. THE MINDFUL PATH TO SELF-COMPASSION: FREEING YOURSELF FROM DESTRUCTIVE THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS. 2009 Gilligan, Carol. IN A DIFFERENT VOICE: PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORY AND WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT. 1993 Gilligan, Carol, Nona P. Lyons, Trudy J. Hanmer (ed). MAKING CONNECTIONS: THE RELATIONAL WORLDS OF ADOLESCENT GIRLS AT...

Words: 1649 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Psychology P1 and M1

...Behaviourist approach The behaviourist theory focuses on the study of observed behaviours and learning theories the three theories are; classical conditioning, operant conditioning and the social learning theory. Within the behaviourist approach there are three different theorists these are; Skinner, Bandura and Pavlov. The first learning theory was approached by the theorist Pavlov. The theory he approached was classical conditioning. This theory is pairing a reflex response with a stimuli. A reflex is an automatic reaction and a stimuli is anything in the environment. Pavlov then carried out an experiment with a dog to prove his theory; Pavlov knew that when animals see food they’re automatic reflex is to salivate, he also wanted to create a noise which the dog could respond to. An example of his experiment; Dog food salivate (reflex) Dog bell food salivate Dog bell salivate This experiment shows that when a dog hears the bell they know they are going to receive food making their automatic reaction to salivate activate. The second learning theory was approached by Skinner. The theory he approached was Operant conditioning. This theory is the reactions of others such as ‘shape’ behaviour. This theory has 3 different approaches these are; positive reinforcement, punishment and negative reinforcement. The first one is Positive reinforcement this encourages behaviour this could be using...

Words: 3058 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Psychology P1 and M1

...Behaviourist approach The behaviourist theory focuses on the study of observed behaviours and learning theories the three theories are; classical conditioning, operant conditioning and the social learning theory. Within the behaviourist approach there are three different theorists these are; Skinner, Bandura and Pavlov. The first learning theory was approached by the theorist Pavlov. The theory he approached was classical conditioning. This theory is pairing a reflex response with a stimuli. A reflex is an automatic reaction and a stimuli is anything in the environment. Pavlov then carried out an experiment with a dog to prove his theory; Pavlov knew that when animals see food they’re automatic reflex is to salivate, he also wanted to create a noise which the dog could respond to. An example of his experiment; Dog food salivate (reflex) Dog bell food salivate Dog bell salivate This experiment shows that when a dog hears the bell they know they are going to receive food making their automatic reaction to salivate activate. The second learning theory was approached by Skinner. The theory he approached was Operant conditioning. This theory is the reactions of others such as ‘shape’ behaviour. This theory has 3 different approaches these are; positive reinforcement, punishment and negative reinforcement. The first one is Positive reinforcement this encourages behaviour this could be using...

Words: 3058 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Psychology P1 and M1

...Behaviourist approach The behaviourist theory focuses on the study of observed behaviours and learning theories the three theories are; classical conditioning, operant conditioning and the social learning theory. Within the behaviourist approach there are three different theorists these are; Skinner, Bandura and Pavlov. The first learning theory was approached by the theorist Pavlov. The theory he approached was classical conditioning. This theory is pairing a reflex response with a stimuli. A reflex is an automatic reaction and a stimuli is anything in the environment. Pavlov then carried out an experiment with a dog to prove his theory; Pavlov knew that when animals see food they’re automatic reflex is to salivate, he also wanted to create a noise which the dog could respond to. An example of his experiment; Dog food salivate (reflex) Dog bell food salivate Dog bell salivate This experiment shows that when a dog hears the bell they know they are going to receive food making their automatic reaction to salivate activate. The second learning theory was approached by Skinner. The theory he approached was Operant conditioning. This theory is the reactions of others such as ‘shape’ behaviour. This theory has 3 different approaches these are; positive reinforcement, punishment and negative reinforcement. The first one is Positive reinforcement this encourages behaviour this could be using...

Words: 3058 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Time Management

...------------------------------------------------- Time management From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Time management is the act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity. Time management may be aided by a range of skills, tools, and techniques used to manage time when accomplishing specific tasks, projects and goals complying with a due date. This set encompasses a wide scope of activities, and these include planning, allocating, setting goals, delegation, analysis of time spent, monitoring, organizing, scheduling, and prioritizing. Initially, time management referred to just business or work activities, but eventually the term broadened to include personal activities as well. A time management system is a designed combination of processes, tools, techniques, and methods. Usually time management is a necessity in any project development as it determines the project completion time and scope. Contents  [show]  | ------------------------------------------------- [edit]Main themes of time management The major themes arising from the literature on time management include the following: * Creating an environment conducive to effectiveness * Setting of priorities * Carrying out activity around those priorities * The related process of reduction of time spent on non-priorities Time management has been considered to be a subset...

Words: 2674 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Special Education

...Chapter 1: Student Characteristics Understand Characteristics of Students with Disabilities Some students with disabilities pass through typical developmental milestones and express skills within an average range for their age group. Others show delayed growth at certain developmental milestones, and many students with disabilities experience challenges as they navigate through the school curriculum. It is critical that special education teachers know how to differentiate between typical individual differences among children without disabilities and differences that may indicate a disability that requires interventions and/or specialized designed instruction. In addition, special education teachers need to know the most common types of disabilities that students may experience and how those disabilities affect their ability to learn and their behavior in the classroom. Competency 1 thus focuses on the characteristics of typical and atypical human growth and development and the characteristics of students with various disabilities that special education teachers are likely to encounter. The test includes a wide range of multiple-choice questions that address Competency 1. * Questions on typical and atypical behaviors and abilities for children and adolescents at particular ages. * Questions on the types and characteristics of various disabilities. * Questions on the similarities and differences among students with and without disabilities. This competency encompasses...

Words: 37727 - Pages: 151

Premium Essay

The Case of Mike and Marty Scanlon

...Study Guide Essentials of Psychology By Robert G. Turner Jr., Ph.D. About the Author Robert G. Turner Jr., Ph.D. has more than 20 years of teaching and education-related experience. He has taught seventh-grade science, worked as a curriculum developer for the Upward Bound Program, and taught sociology, social psychology, anthropology, and honors seminars at the university level. As a professional writer, he has written nonfiction books, journal and magazine articles, novels, and stage plays. Contents Contents INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS LESSON ASSIGNMENTS LESSON 1: PSYCHOLOGY: THE SCIENCE OF THE MIND LESSON 2: THE MIND AT WORK LESSON 3: MOTIVATION, EMOTION, DEVELOPMENT, AND PERSONALITY RESEARCH PROJECT LESSON 4: PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS LESSON 5: PSYCHOLOGY FOR TWO OR MORE CASE STUDIES SELF-CHECK ANSWERS 1 7 9 43 75 117 127 147 167 171 iii YOUR COURSE Instructions Instructions Welcome to your course, Essentials of Psychology. You’re entering a course of study designed to help you better understand yourself and others. For that reason, you can think of this course as practical. It should be of use to you in living your life and reaching the goals you set for yourself. You’ll use two main resources for your course work: this study guide and your textbook, Psychology and Your Life, by Robert S. Feldman. OBJECTIVES When you complete this course, you’ll be able to ■ Describe the science and methodologies of psychology in the context of its historical...

Words: 49230 - Pages: 197