ADHD

5 Pages 1282 Words

There are at least two million children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the United States (Moragne 24). All around us, ADHD causes clever children and adults to under function at school or work. ADHD needs to be taken seriously. People need to be aware of what ADHD is, what some of the characteristics and symptoms are, what some of the probable causes are, and some ways it can be treated.

ADHD is one of the most common childhood behaviors. The prognosis for ADHD can be alarming if not treated. ADHD must be recognized and treated properly. If this does not happen, it will continue to severely disadvantage children and adults. The best time to diagnose and give support is early. Poorly managed ADHD can lead to serious long-term problems such as feeling dumb, low self-esteem, academic failure and more.

There are different types of ADHD with a variety of characteristics. No one has all the same symptoms or displays the disorder in the exact same way. ADHD is diagnosed ten times more frequently in boys than girls (Discovery). Many girls have the predominantly inattentive type of the disorder and are likely not being identified and diagnosed (Green 6). ADHD is a developmental disorder characterized by inappropriate degrees of inattention, overactivity, and impulsivity. It is a disorder causing excessive activity level, excessive distractibility, and excessive responsiveness and emotional reactions. ADHD is also a lifelong disorder. It generally continues into adolescence, and sometimes even into adulthood. However, the symptoms may change as the person matures. The challenging behaviors that are exhibited by children with ADHD stem from their physiological, neurobiological disorder. The inappropriate and dangerous behaviors they may display are generally not willful or deliberate (Moragne 26).

The diagnosis of ADHD is complex. There are a number of other medical, learning, psychiatric, and s...