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ADHD and Its Treatments Essay examples

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The purpose of this research was to describe and understand Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the most effective treatment options 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 …show more content…

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

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