ADHD
ADHD – ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
ADHD is one of the most common childhood psychological disorders, affecting 5% of school-aged children and 2.5% of adults. Males are twice as likely to have ADHD as females and symptoms must be present before age 12. As the name suggests, it is marked by difficulty paying attention, increased physical activity (hyperactivity) and impulsivity. Symptoms must interfere with, or reduce the quality of social, academic, or occupational functioning.
SUBTYPES
ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation (ADHD-PH): Individuals with ADHD-PH are often described as constantly “on-the-go” that is, they are almost constantly in motion. When they need to sit still, they likely feel restless and need to fidget with objects or be constantly shifting. People with this subtype also are impulsive, interrupting what people are saying, starting tasks before instructions are finished, or jumping into something without preparing.
ADHD Combined Presentation: This is the most commonly diagnosed presentation, where the individual shows signs of both other subtypes; inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
SYMPTOMS
Aside from the above mentioned challenges with attention and impulsivity, the following characteristics also may be present:
- Is disorganized
- Makes careless mistakes
- Doesn’t complete schoolwork
- Is forgetful
- Loses things
- Daydreams
- Fidgets, is unable to sit still
- Talks a lot and loudly
- Interrupts conversations
- Is accident-prone
- Has difficulty waiting for his/her turn
- Acts without thinking
Usually symptoms are present in different settings (such as at school and at home), and are likely most obvious in situations that require long periods of attention or thinking for something that is not very interesting to the person with ADHD. Signs may be minimal when they are in a new setting, doing things they enjoy, or in a one-to-one situation.
CAUSES & RISK FACTORS
The exact cause of ADHD is unclear; however, research clearly reveals that its symptoms run in families. If a parent or close relative has had a diagnosis or had many of the symptoms as a child, there is a greater chance that a child or teen may also have ADHD.
There are also risk factors aside from genetics such as low birth weight, exposure to alcohol or smoking during pregnancy, or head injury.
Social environment and parenting practices do not directly cause ADHD, but different experiences may affect the severity of symptoms and the course of the disorder.
CO-OCCURING ISSUES
Individuals with ADHD often also experience one or more other issues or disorders.
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Conduct Disorder
- Learning Disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
TREATMENT
The most well-known treatment for ADHD is stimulant or non-stimulant medication. Research has shown that ADHD is best treated by a combination of approaches, which may include: family therapy, individual therapy, behaviour planning, school supports, skill training, or medication. Proper treatment of ADHD is important to address current problems, as well as prepare an individual for future success and health.
WHY A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT?
Some family doctors are willing to diagnose and prescribe medication for symptoms of ADHD, so why is a full assessment necessary? As stated in the treatment section, medication can be one part of a treatment plan, but most improvement is made with a variety of interventions in place. A comprehensive psychological assessment not only provides the information for a diagnosis, but also evaluates the way that an individual thinks and approaches problems, as well as their abilities and academic skill performance that are essential in creating plans specific to that person and their challenges.
SOURCES
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC
Pennington, B. (2009). Diagnosing learning disorders: A neuropsychological framework (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.