Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder: To Medicate or Not to Medicate?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is classified as a syndrome that is comprised of a variety of behaviors that often arises in early childhood and is characterized by extremely high levels of motor activity, difficulties with attention span and concentrating, and/or impulsive behaviors (Cook & Cash, 2011). It has been estimated in the United States that approximately 20% of children and adolescents display signs of a psychological or behavioral disorder according to Luthy, David, Macintosh, Eden, and Beckstrand (2015). ADHD is considered one of the more prevalent psychological disorders in children, with approximately 3-7% of school-age children with an ADHD diagnosis as mentioned by Luthy et al. (2015).

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder involving behavioral and cognitive aspects of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity (Ciccarelli, S.). This disorder is most common mental disorder in children. ADHD gets diagnosed at a young age and continues in some cases into adulthood. Although in most cases children who are diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, normally grow out of it by the time they become adults. It is estimated that 2.5 percent of adults and 5 percent children have ADHD (What Is ADHD). In numerous studies on ADHD in genders, boys are about three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with ADHD (What Is ADHD). Symptoms of ADHD show different

ADHD is a troublesome neurodevelopmental disorder that affects thousands of children in the United States. Nonetheless, there is no cure for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. However, great strives have been made in the medical field in the last ten years to better treat this disorder. There are a variety of treatments available, including prescription medications, herbal remedies and behavioral therapy. Information about ADHD is easily available. There are thousands of books, and hundreds of websites offering valuable information on the disorder. Mayo Clinic is a reputable source for current information on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The Mayo Clinic is an organization as well as a hospital. Furthermore on their website they have an extensive listing of ailments, diseases and disorders. The Mayo Clinic provides a quality website that offers in depth, accurate, and a reliable evaluation of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Although so many kids are getting diagnosed with adhd; There is a 1 out of 5 percent of children who are being misdiagnosed with the disorder. Studies show that not all kids that are overly hyperactive, or can’t stand still have adhd. However some kids you can tell just from a glance right away, and others it may require a lot more work than what the human eye can see. The official definition of adhd is “ A chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness”. It is based on subjective criteria so you can’t just say you think your kid has adhd.

Each day, more and more children, young adults, and even adults are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, more commonly known as ADHD. According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), 6.4 million Americans aged 4-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD since 2011, and this number is steadily growing. As one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children, ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood and is a non curable, yet manageable, disease. The most common treatment of ADHD is through stimulant medication, such as Ritalin.

ADHD is identified by using a diagnostic interview method. It is important that the study of the child being diagnosed include the history covering their present symptoms, an opposing diagnosis, comorbid conditions, as well as medical, developmental, school,psychosocial, and family histories. It is also recommended to explore the reason for a request for evaluation of ADHD in the first place, as well as the different methods of treatment that had been used in the past. This test is not only unique to ADHD, it is also used in diagnosing other mental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. (National Institute

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses its site to make the public aware of certain disorders, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). This website provides much information and knowledge on this disorder. There is sufficient information regarding ADHD for the reader that is seeking knowledge on this neurodevelopmental disorder. CDC's website provides the reader, or the parents of children with ADHD, with further understanding and knowledge concerning ADHD. The article puts forth the grave and serious facts on Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. CDC explains the three different kinds of ADHD with its causes, and symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD include: hyperactivity, excessive daydreaming, and making unnecessary

What is attention deficit hyper disorder? ADHD is a “chronic condition that affects pre-school or very young school children (Zivkovic 3822). ADHD symptoms are difficulty sustaining attention, impulsive behavior and hyper activity (3822). There was a research conducted by Cordest hat ADHD prevails in 3 to 5% of preschoolers and is more common in boys than in girls (3822). Children as young as three and four years of age are being diagnosed with ADHD and are being given medications. Parents with children between the ages of two and six should not medicate their children that are diagnosed with ADHD.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD which is often referred to as childhood hyperactivity, it 's a severe and chronic disorder for children. It is one of the most prevalent childhood disorders, and affects 3% to 5% of the school-age population. Boys outnumber girls three or more to one. Children with ADHD can experience many behavioral difficulties that often manifest in the form of inattention, being easily distracted, being impulsive, and hyperactivity. As a result, children with ADHD may develop emotional, social, developmental, academic, and family problems because of the frustrations and problems they are constantly experiencing. (Shea)

Attention Deficit Disorder is a mental health problem that poses a strong challenge to the parents and children that are affected by this disorder. In this website, the National Institute of Mental Health wants to look at the ways ADHD affects children from the childhood and remains in the child to adulthood. The National Institute of Mental Health website used the authority , when treating ADHD , the accuracy of the evidence of children affected by ADHD and the currency of the evidence provided about ADHD on these young children. The NIMH demonstrated their authority in delivering information, accuracy in connecting with their audience and currency in their affairs with victims of ADHD.

ADHD is an abbreviation for attention deficit/hyper activity disorder. It is commonly referred to as a psychiatric disorder in need of therapy. The origination of the disease is in the neuro-physiological brain construct, and the main cause of the disorder is considered to be genetic (Wilson, 2012). Many children with ADHD struggle with impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention (Unnever, Cullen, & Pratt, 2003). According to McNamara, Vervaeke, and Willoughby (2008), “attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder among children and adolescents. It affects between 3% and 5% of school age children” (p. 38). In a

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is a neurobehavioral disorder that affects school aged children with a high degree of inattention, excessive hyperactivity, impulsivity or a combination of any of these. In order for a child to be diagnosed with ADHD, there must be two different environments in which the child has displayed his or her symptoms and it must occur before the child is twelve years of age (Halter, 2014). Children have a high comorbidity level with developmental, learning and psychiatric problems. There are three types of ADHD; inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive type and combination type. With inattentive type the child displays disorganization, is unable to complete tasks, becomes easily bored, and

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder also most commonly known as ADHD is one of the most common disorders among children and young adults. It is not only the most common but is on the rise in the United States over the past decade. Many people turn to the internet to find answers on such a disorder as ADHD. However, one has to be careful in what they read, because some websites are not accurate and have lots of bias towards one thing or another dealing with the subject of ADHD. Everyday Health’s webpage on ADHD is a very informative source and well put together by using authority, coverage and objectivity.

“Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition affecting children and adults that is characterized by problems with attention, impulsivity, and overactivity” (CHADD). “It is a neurobiological disorder that affect 3-7 percent of school age children and may be seen as before the age of 7. The current diagnostic label is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, however, in the past several other names have been used, such as brain-damaged, minimal brain dysfunction, hyperkinetic impulsive disorder, and attention deficit disorder (CHADD). ADHD is a controversial disorder. Some understand it to be a true disability, while others believe “good teaching and discipline at home resolve the problems” (Kauffman 2005).

To this day no scientific tests have been done to support the existence of ADHD. As it stands the diagnostic criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder are essentially reflective of normal childhood behavior. The behaviors that someone needs to elicit in order to be categorized with attention deficit hyperactive disorder, include behaviors such as: “often has difficulties organizing tasks and activities”; “often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort”; “often loses things necessary for tasks or activities”; “is often on the go”; “often talks excessively”; and “often interrupts or intrudes on others” (American Psychiatric Association, 2014). These criteria for ADHD are found in most children but not all children have Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has taken normal behaviors of a child and reclassified them to be characterized into a disorder. If psychiatry was against pathologizing normal behavior then disorders like ADHD which are essentially just descriptions of normal childhood behavior would be eliminated. Children would therefore be put on medication less often and therefore would lead to less serious disorders based off of the findings of Whitaker. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is