FREE ESSAY ON ADHD

ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental
disorders among children. About 3 percent to 5 percent of American children are affected
by this disorder. This disorder is commonly mis-diagnosed in children who are very
hyperactive, assuming that very hyperactive kids have this disorder. In this paper I plan
to discuss ideas such as: the symptoms, theories of causation, risks, and how this
disorder is looked at and treated.
There are signs that a child may be affected by ADHD, which are very noticeable in some
cases. Some of the physical symptoms that are involved include hyperactivity,
inattention, and impulsitivity. 
When discussing inattention, the idea that individuals have difficulty sustaining
interest in finishing a task, strangely, a person with ADHD may have no problems with
attention while doing an activity they enjoy, but won't be able to finish a complicated
or new task. People with this disorder are often noted for their inconsistencies, have
bad handwriting, miss details, and are often forgetful. But because the individual
over-focuses on something of great interest, or something that is highly stimulating,
many times an untrained observer may assume that this ability to concentrate negates the
possibility of ADHD being a concern, especially when they see children able to pay
attention while working one-on-one with someone, doing something they enjoy, or can sit
and play a video game or watch television for hours on end. In addition to problems with
attention, people with ADHD can be fidgety, and appear to be moving around constantly.
Which leads me to myth that all people with ADHD are hyperactive, this is not always the
case.
Because society has traditionally thought of a person with ADHD as being 'hyper', many
children who have this disorder with no signs of being hyperactive are not being
identified or treated. For those individuals who are not hyperactive, they are often
thought of as a 'day-dreamers' or an 'absent-minded professors'. The non-hyperactive
children with ADHD most often seem to be girls, but it is 5 to 7 more common in boys.
(Booth, 2000)
Another symptom that is very common in people with ADHD is impulsitivity, which means
that the individual seems to be unable to think before they act. They may interrupt
others who are talking, blurt out inappropriate comments, or have a hard time waiting
their turn. Regardless of the consequence, people with ADHD can out as if they are out of
control.
Although researchers are still studying exactly what causes ADHD, they know what doesn't
cause it, and that is sugar. Sugar and food additives don't cause ADHD, and in research
study in 1982 the National Institutes of Health concluded that restricting sugar and food
additive consumption only helped about 5% of the children with this disorder. Minor brain
injuries from early infection, or birth complications also have been ruled out, head
injuries can only explain a few cases of ADHD, not all of them. Television watching, poor
home and school environments also don't cause ADHD, they may contribute to behavior that
resembles the symptoms. Instead new theories point to low levels of activity in some
parts of the brain as an indicator of ADHD. In one study, investigators found that
control attention, meaning that areas were less active and caused inattention. Cocaine
and heavy alcohol use during pregnancy may also distort developing nerve cell. Using
alcohol during pregnancy may cause fetal alcohol syndrome, which leads to low birth
weight, and certain physical and intellectual impairments. Many FAS children also show
the same symptoms as children with ADHD. I feel that you can rule out genes, because they
probably account for some ADHD causes. Children with this disorder usually have at least
one relative with ADHD, with one-third of fathers with ADHD having children with disorder
also. More important, identical twins are often both affected.(National ADD, 97)
Treatment is available for people who have ADHD, which includes therapy and drug
treatment. But in order to make sure these symptoms are from an actual case of ADHD, and
not from an emotional or physical disorder, a medical professional would need to look at
the history of the symptoms, ruling out any learning disabilities, or physical problems
or environmental factors that may have caused problems. If the doctor is diagnosing a
child, school report cards that contain comments about the child's inattention and
discipline problems are helpful factors that help point out ADHD.
Another important step in diagnosis is option to use treatment that involves stimulant
drugs, such as Ritalin, which reduce hyperactivity and help individuals to pay better
attention. Studies show that nine out of ten children usually improve. If the symptoms
worsen, the doctor may adjust the dosage. Using therapeutic treatment, combined with drug
therapy has proved to be a successful tool in handling ADHD.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is something the never goes away, it follows you
into adulthood. Individuals with ADHD may want to join a support group to share in their
frustration and successes when they are older. This is a disorder that is treatable, and
for those who are not treated, serous socially problems are a problem
I have learned a great deal about the ADHD disorder.
I feel that anyone who has children, or works with kids should be aware of ADHD, because
it affects a lot of children. A big concern is really recognizing the symptoms, and
getting treatment for these kids so they can have a chance at living a successful life,
just like everyone else. 
Bibliography:
The National ADD Oraganization(1997)
Booth, Rebecca. "What Does ADD Look Like." (2000)
www.addorg. (pg.1-7)