Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
The Basics:
http://www.adhdinfographic.com
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or better known as ADHD, is a very common childhood disorder. Their are the individuals who just can not sit still no matter how hard they try, they are very dependent on a schedule but never organized, and of course their focus is elsewhere jumping from one tangent to the other. Children and adults can have this disorder which includes a very limited attention span and abundant hyperactivity. There are three subtypes of ADHD:
• Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
• Most symptoms (six or more) are in the hyperactivity-impulsivity categories.
• Fewer than six symptoms of inattention are present, although inattention may still be present to some degree.
• Predominantly inattentive
•The majority of symptoms (six or more) are in the inattention category and fewer than six symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present, although hyperactivity-impulsivity may still be present to some degree.
•Children with this subtype are less likely to act out or have difficulties getting along with other children. They may sit quietly, but they are not paying attention to what they are doing. Therefore, the child may be overlooked, and parents and teachers may not notice that he or she has ADHD.
• Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive
• Six or more symptoms of inattention and six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present.
• Most children have the combined type of ADHD. (National Institute of Mental health)
What Causes ADHD?
The cause is unknown, but there are several hypothesis. One theory states that ADHD is passed down through genes. Scientists are studying the DNA of individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, to hopefully find a cure. For example, "Children with ADHD who carry a particular version of a certain gene have thinner brain tissue in the areas of the brain associated with attention. This NIMH research showed that the difference was not permanent, however, and as children with this gene grew up, the brain developed to a normal level of thickness. Their ADHD symptoms also improved". (National Institute of Mental Health, 2009)
Another theory suggests that environmental factors may be the cause of attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Those who have been in contact with chemicals such as alcohol and cigarette smoke while pregnant have a greater chance of having a child with ADHD. This is also true of children who are raised in a home with lead present (either in the pipes or the paint on the walls).
The last theory states that their could be a link between the consumption of additives in food like artificial colors and preservatives and hyperactivity. British researchers are working on this connection. (National Institute of Mental Health)
MYTHS:
The idea that refined sugar causes ADHD or makes symptoms worse is popular, but more research discounts this theory than supports it. In one study, researchers gave children foods containing either sugar or a sugar substitute every other day. The children who received sugar showed no different behavior or learning capabilities than those who received the sugar substitute. Another study in which children were given higher than average amounts of sugar or sugar substitutes showed similar results.
In another study, children who were considered sugar-sensitive by their mothers were given the sugar substitute aspartame, also known as Nutrasweet. Although all the children got aspartame, half their mothers were told their children were given sugar, and the other half were told their children were given aspartame. The mothers who thought their children had gotten sugar rated them as more hyperactive than the other children and were more critical of their behavior, compared to mothers who thought their children received aspartame. (National Institute of Mental Health)
Treatment:
Unfortunately their is no treatment for ADHD. The primary focus of doctors is to reduce the symptoms to improve the every day life of the person with ADHD. The most common types of medication are stimulants to help calm the children to be able to focus throughout their day. Some medications may also help with physical coordination. Finding a medication and a correct dosage that works for a person is a unique challenge. ADHD is so different in each individual that it must be taken case by case. (National Institute of Mental Health)
• Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
• Most symptoms (six or more) are in the hyperactivity-impulsivity categories.
• Fewer than six symptoms of inattention are present, although inattention may still be present to some degree.
• Predominantly inattentive
•The majority of symptoms (six or more) are in the inattention category and fewer than six symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present, although hyperactivity-impulsivity may still be present to some degree.
•Children with this subtype are less likely to act out or have difficulties getting along with other children. They may sit quietly, but they are not paying attention to what they are doing. Therefore, the child may be overlooked, and parents and teachers may not notice that he or she has ADHD.
• Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive
• Six or more symptoms of inattention and six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present.
• Most children have the combined type of ADHD. (National Institute of Mental health)
What Causes ADHD?
The cause is unknown, but there are several hypothesis. One theory states that ADHD is passed down through genes. Scientists are studying the DNA of individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, to hopefully find a cure. For example, "Children with ADHD who carry a particular version of a certain gene have thinner brain tissue in the areas of the brain associated with attention. This NIMH research showed that the difference was not permanent, however, and as children with this gene grew up, the brain developed to a normal level of thickness. Their ADHD symptoms also improved". (National Institute of Mental Health, 2009)
Another theory suggests that environmental factors may be the cause of attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Those who have been in contact with chemicals such as alcohol and cigarette smoke while pregnant have a greater chance of having a child with ADHD. This is also true of children who are raised in a home with lead present (either in the pipes or the paint on the walls).
The last theory states that their could be a link between the consumption of additives in food like artificial colors and preservatives and hyperactivity. British researchers are working on this connection. (National Institute of Mental Health)
MYTHS:
The idea that refined sugar causes ADHD or makes symptoms worse is popular, but more research discounts this theory than supports it. In one study, researchers gave children foods containing either sugar or a sugar substitute every other day. The children who received sugar showed no different behavior or learning capabilities than those who received the sugar substitute. Another study in which children were given higher than average amounts of sugar or sugar substitutes showed similar results.
In another study, children who were considered sugar-sensitive by their mothers were given the sugar substitute aspartame, also known as Nutrasweet. Although all the children got aspartame, half their mothers were told their children were given sugar, and the other half were told their children were given aspartame. The mothers who thought their children had gotten sugar rated them as more hyperactive than the other children and were more critical of their behavior, compared to mothers who thought their children received aspartame. (National Institute of Mental Health)
Treatment:
Unfortunately their is no treatment for ADHD. The primary focus of doctors is to reduce the symptoms to improve the every day life of the person with ADHD. The most common types of medication are stimulants to help calm the children to be able to focus throughout their day. Some medications may also help with physical coordination. Finding a medication and a correct dosage that works for a person is a unique challenge. ADHD is so different in each individual that it must be taken case by case. (National Institute of Mental Health)
ADHD and THe Brain:
Statistics:
http://www.a-health-blog.com/adhd-by-the-numbers-infographic.html
ADHD has varying factors when it comes to race and ethnicity, family structure, and mother's level of education.
According to the CDC, "Hispanic children were less likely than non-Hispanic black children or non-Hispanic white children to have ADHD ".
It also states, "Children who lived in a mother-only family were more likely than those in a two-parent family to have each of the three diagnoses (ADHD without LD, LD without ADHD, and both conditions)" and "In each sex and age group, children living in a mother-only family were more likely than those living in a two-parent family to have both ADHD and LD".
The CDC states, "Among older children, those with the most educated mothers were twice as likely as children with the least educated mothers to have ADHD without LD".
The economic effect of these conditions on families, schools, and the health care system is substantial.
(http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_10/Sr10_237.pdf)
Conclusion:
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