Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Crime

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and crime

Introduction

Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) also sometimes known as attention deficit disorder (ADD) is one aof the utmost prevailing childhood disorder and in thirty to sixty percent of cases can continue through adolescence and adulthood. The common symptoms of this disorder are hyperactivity, difficulty in paying attention and monitoring behavior. This disorder occurs in between 2 - 17 years old school and high school students. Figures show there is a powerful link between serious life problems in adulthood and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The individuals of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are more probable to commit one or other crime once in their life span. Study in 2002 shows that 18% of prisoner's had probable childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 46% of adult prisoner were attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The main reason for this link between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and criminal activity though remains unclear and is discussed in different research and by individual scholars (Blake, 2006).

Research topic

Our research paper is based on the analysis that there is a big probability that children or an adult suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be involved in unlawful activities, and the proper use of medication in this case can substantially reduce the criminal urges in them. The child who suffered from attention deficit disorder is more likely to commit some crime in his adulthood life as well. The main reason for them to commit criminal activity is impulsiveness, to obtain what, please them and to seek adventure out of boredom in life.

Statement of the problem

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder adult and children often commit minor crimes like over speeding and law violations to some bigger crimes like drug abuse. The use of medication of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can reduce the rate of crime in them.

Research hypothesis.

The people suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are more probable to commit a crime than those who are not suffering from this disorder. The reason for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder people to commit crime are impulsiveness, and they usually leap into action before thinking. They steal things that they want, do what they want and sometimes hurt people they dislike. The use of medication can have an impact on the lessening of these criminal urges in the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder sufferers. The people having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who is on medication is 30% less likely to commit a crime than those who are not.

Outline of the study

this study tries to find out whether there exist a relationship between children and adults suffering from Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and their committing criminal activity. This research paper will also focus on the various reasons that why the sufferers of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are more foreseeable to commit criminal activities and what triggers them to commit crimes. This paper will also focus that whether the use of medication and treatment can reduce the criminal activities of those people who had previously suffered from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This paper will also look at varying impacts the sufferer of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder will have on individual and society around them.

Background

Attention deficit hyperactive disorder is mainly found in children but can exist in adults as well. Around 3 to 5 percent children are affected by it, in US two million children have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is found in every culture and nation and is a widespread spread chronic disorder. Wider society may also face challenges of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as it is difficult to live and deal with its effects. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is linked with drug abuse, antisocial behavior and criminal activity. The three subtypes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are mostly hyperactive, mostly inattentive and pooled hyperactive - impulsive and inattentive (www.nimh.nih.gov).

Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder includes three major symptom which are inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Most mental health professional state that people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may have one or all symptoms. Mostly hyperactive and impulsive symptoms are found together.

Hyperactive

Hyperactive children are restless, may try to do several things at once. They talk continuously cannot sit still during dinner or at school. These children play with or touch everything in sight and roam around and make noises. They are internally restless and needs to stay busy all the time. The fidget in the seats wiggle their fingers and may not stay focused on one thing for a long time.

Impulsive

Impulsive people are immediate reward seekers and may find it hard to wait for their turn. Impulsive people may think the act before thinking and have a difficulty in retraining their immediate reactions to situations. They blurt out responses and like to get immediate results in everything.

Inattentive

Children with inattentive are hardly hyperactive or impulsive, but they have a tough time giving attention especially to a task that are new and mat not be as per their liking. Inattentive children may forget things and make many mistakes. They are lethargic, easily confused and daydreamers.

Indicators of impulsive and hyperactive

The indicators of hyperactive and impulsive children are restlessness, difficulty sitting quietly. These children talk excessively, utter out responses or may interrupt others.

Indicators of inattentive

Inattentive children may not pay attention or make careless mistakes in homework or chores. They get easily distracted by unrelated noise or sight, forget things. They have a difficulty in completing lengthy tasks and may not appear to listen when spoken directly. They have a difficulty in completing long and tedious work and may jump to other things without completing the first (Grohol,