ADHD Treatments and Research
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder that affects 3-5 percent of all American children. It interferes with a person’s ability to stay on a task and to exercise age-appropriate inhibition (cognitive alone or both cognitive and behavioral). Some of the warning signs of ADHD include failure to listen to instructions, inability to organize oneself and school work, fidgeting with hands and feet, talking too much, leaving projects, chores and homework unfinished, and having trouble paying attention to and responding to details.
There are several types of ADHD: a predominantly inattentive subtype, a predominantly hyperactive-impulsive subtype, and a combined subtype. ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood, although the condition can continue into the adult years.
ADHD Treatment
The usual course of treatment may include medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), which are stimulants that decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity and increase attention. Most experts agree that treatment for ADHD should address multiple aspects of the individual’s functioning and should not be limited to the use of medications alone. Treatment should include structured classroom management, parent education (to address discipline and limit-setting), and tutoring and/or behavioral therapy for the child.
Prognosis for ADHD
There is no “cure” for ADHD. Children with the disorder seldom outgrow it; however, some may find adaptive ways to accommodate the ADHD as they mature.
ADHD Research
Several components of the NIH support research on developmental disorders such as ADHD. Research programs of the NINDS, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) seek to address unanswered questions about the causes of ADHD, as well as to improve diagnosis and treatment.
Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2010
hi, i have adhd, and i suggest you search for different view points.
1) it’s apparent that those diagnosed with this are troubled when trying to focus. but then why do they talk a lot? why do they go from one thing to the next? it’s because “focus” isn’t quite what it is. this probably revolves around how the brain decides.
now there are a few possibilities as to what the neurological reason is, but the answer most likely is held within the “distraction”.
few possible reasons would be
1) the brain views priorities through memory.
2) when the mind struggles at all, it instinctively finds a stimulant, possibly due to attempting to perform all its functions with the exact same amount of effort.
take in mind the subtle hints to help define adhd, such as the fact that attention is not difficult for enjoyable things, even when challenging, that people with adhd usually remember their own words better.
a response to let me know this was read would be much appreciated!