Adhd Treatments: A Study

The purpose of this research was to describe and understand Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the most effective treatment option that are available today. ADHD is a mental health disorder that affects 3-9% of the population in ways that, if left untreated, can wreak havoc on the mind of the sufferer. It makes concentration difficult, large tasks seem insurmountable, and causes impulsive and hyperactive tendencies. Fortunately, research and experiments have led to new and effective treatments to help those who suffer from this disorder (Dupaul 8). This research examined journal articles and internet sources on the topic to help unlock the complexities of the disorder through scientific research. It also was a way to separate the myths of the disorder from the truths, while discovering the causes, diagnosis methods, and best treatment alternatives to battle this prevalent disorder.

In 1902, a physician by the name of Sir George F. published a series of lectures to the Royal College of Physicians in England in which he described a group of impulsive children with significant behavioral problems, caused by a genetic dysfunction and not by poor child rearing--children who today would be easily recognized as having ADHD (NIMH 1). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or (ADHD) is a developmental disorder characterized by distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and an inability to remain focused on tasks or activities. ADHD afflicts an estimated 3-9% of children, with symptoms usually appearing by the age of seven. Some key characteristics of the disorder include a person who:

* Is easily distracted by events occurring around them

* Puts off anything that requires a sustained mental effort

* Appears not to listen when spoken to

* Shows a repeated failure to finish tasks

* Has a difficulty staying still

* Shows difficulty in organizing activities

These symptoms prove to be particularly challenging to children and adolescents. Although they may be quite intelligent, their lack of focus frequently results in poor grades and difficulty in school. Children and adolescents with ADHD tend to act impulsively, without addressing the consequences of their actions until it is too late. Their attention spans are much shorter than most children's are, thus they become bored easily and frustrated with tasks (Dupaul 1).

Although the exact causes of ADHD unknown, most scientists now believe that neurobiology and genetics play a dominant role in the cause of ADHD. It was once thought that brain injury was the primary culprit for the disorder, but this theory has since been disproved by studies that illustrate only an insignificant number of ADHD sufferers have had brain trauma. Attention disorders often run in families, so there are likely to be genetic influences. Studies indicate that 25 percent of the close relatives in the families of ADHD children also have ADHD, whereas the rate is about 5 percent in the general population. Recent studies have also focused their attention on the part of the cerebrum known as the frontal lobes. This is the part of the brain responsible for solving problems, planning, understanding the behavior of others, and restraining our impulses. In 2002, Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Child Psychiatry Branch studied 139 children over a 10 year span and found, through MRI and other brain testing technologies, that the children had 3-4% smaller brain volumes than those of normal, healthy children. Although MRI brain scans show promise as a diagnostic tool, scientists stress they cannot be used effectively for that purpose (Surgeon Gen 5-8).

Psychologists and Psychiatrists have recognized several different types of ADHD. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), a tool commonly used by professionals to diagnose mental disorders, illustrates three patterns of behavior to note when diagnosing the disorder. These patterns include (NIMH):

* Consistent hyperactivity and impulsivity (above and beyond those in same age group)

* Showing several signs of being inattentive

* Having a combination of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness

From these three patterns, experts categorize patients into three subtypes:

1. Pre-dominantly hyperactive-impulsive type (one that does not show significant inattention)

2. Pre-dominantly inattentive type (one that does not show significant hyperactive- impulsive behavior)

3. The Combined type (one who displays both attributes)

The diagnosis of ADHD can be difficult because many healthy people exercise symptoms of ADHD. The diagnosis requires that such behavior is demonstrated to a degree that is inappropriate for the person's age. The diagnostic guidelines also contain specific requirements for determining when the symptoms indicate ADHD. The behaviors must appear early in life, before age 7, and continue for at least 6 months. Above all, the behaviors must create a real handicap in at least two areas of a person's life such as in the schoolroom, on the playground, at home, in the community, or in social settings. Someone who shows some symptoms, but whose schoolwork or friendships are not impaired by these behaviors, would not be diagnosed with ADHD. Nor would a child who seems overly active on the playground but functions well elsewhere receive an ADHD diagnosis. Furthermore, the first and best step in effective diagnosis is to seek the help and advice of a pediatrician, psychologist, or a psychiatrist who has experience in or specializes in the treatment of the disorder. To assess whether a child has ADHD, specialists consider several critical questions:

1. Are these behaviors excessive, long-term, and pervasive or do they occur more often than in other children of the same age?

2. Are they a continuous problem, not just a response to a temporary situation?

3. Do the behaviors occur in several settings or only in one specific place like the playground or

in the schoolroom?

4. The person's pattern of behavior is compared against a set of criteria and characteristics of the

disorder as listed in the DSM-IV-TR.

After these questions have