Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Essay

A large percentage of Americans suffer from attention deficit disorder also known as ADHD. The news article I chose to write about is a U.S News article by Rachel Pomerance Berl titled Meds or No Meds? How to treat a child with ADHD. This article discusses ADHD and how many Americans are affected by this disorder but also when to treat or not treat a patient who claims to have ADHD. This disorder affects the way people focus, causes over activity and poor impulse control. ADHD can often begin to affect the individual’s life if the disorder is not properly treated.

Although medication therapy is one of the main choices for the diagnosis of ADHD, many parents do not wish to use medication therapy on their children. Recently more studies are being conducted on other ways to treat this order. Alternative or complementary therapy are starting to begin

ADHD is a behavioral disorder that includes difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness, and the common drugs Adderall and Ritalin are often prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The goal of ADHD medication is to increase dopamine levels in the brain and to help reduce symptoms of hyperactivity, inattentiveness and impulsivity. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with motivation, pleasure, attention, and movement. CNN reports that “ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that fewer than 1 in 3 children with ADHD receive both medication treatment and behavioral therapy”(Drexler). The new research, published as two reports in the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, found that children who began treatment with approaches -- such as instruction in basic social skills, based on a simple, but specific, system of rewards and consequences -- fared significantly better than those whose treatment began with a pharmaceutical, even if both treatments were ultimately combined into one therapy (Drexler). Restructuring and modifying a child’s environment can reduce a child’s stress and reduce many of the symptoms associated with ADHD. Behavior management strategies can help a child make sense of their world so that they can better understand cause-and-effect and be able to better predict consequences. An emphasis

allergens(Gordon/Millichap 3)” While this may be inconvenient for an entire household, it is not impossible essentially if you can afford to feed yourself you can afford to do this(chicken,rice, and potatoes are all hypoallergenic and inexpensive). Another facet of the natural method is exercise. The study Adopting an External Focus of Attention Facilitates Motor Learning in Children with ADHD. In this study children who showed signs of ADHD were divided into two separate groups. One that partook in outdoor activities followed by learning in a clasroom. And another that only learned in the classroom. This study showed that the children who partook in the physical education prior to classroom learning showed increased learning abilities. These two studies into natural alternatives show that medication is not the only way to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD. That it can be brought under control in a health way that not only has little to no adverse and unhealthy side effects. But is also very good for your overall health.

Parents and teachers have given up on these children and they have been the ones who drop out of school or end up in prison. It is thought that by diagnosing ADHD early and treating it properly, children who might not have had a chance to succeed can now be successful. The advocates for diagnosis of ADHD also point out that the treatment of ADHD with prescription drugs is actually very small and only one out of every three children diagnosed with ADHD is actually treated with prescription drugs (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, para. 45).

Abstract: This research paper describes ADHD and the treatments available. It discusses the different medications and their side effects and explains the opinions of some doctors for an alternative treatment. The main goal of the writing is to shed some light on the disorder and describe some theories about ADHD. This goal is stated in the thesis which talks about how ADHD cannot be identified exactly, the side effects to the medication are harsh, there are different alternative treatments, and research shows it may be caused from hormones and sleep deprivation.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (“ADHD”) is a common childhood disorder that represents developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity and overactivity. It occurs in 3% to 5% of the school age population as stated by (Craighead, Craighead, Kazdin & Mahoney, 1994). Another author (Barkley, 1981) stated that ADHD occurs in at least one child in every classroom. As a result of these statistics, ADHD has become one of the most commonly referred and heavily studied psychological disorders of childhood. Studies show that about 50-60% of children with ADHD in the age range of five to seven years are hostile and defiant. By the

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a well-known problem across the world. The most controversial topics when it comes to ADHD are the drugs used to treat the disorder. It is commonly known that ADHD represents something along the lines of “one is too hyper and cannot pay attention”, but that doesn’t mean they should be forced to take a medication that will potentially affect their well-being for the rest of their life. The mind of a human being is a beautiful and fragile thing, drugs should not be used for those who struggle with ADHD. The school system does not treat those with ADHD in learning environments correctly. Those who have been

Like most other developed countries, the majority of our U.S. culture is now accustomed and drawn to the idea of “quick-fixes.” In this busy society, one is typically most intrigued by the option that is the easiest to implement and can provide the fastest results, such as a pain pill for a headache. However, in the world of mental health and its’ disorders, a “quick-fix” is usually not the best approach. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among these mental health disorders that should not be resorting only to a “quick-fix”, such as a stimulant medication, to effectively manage the disorder. This is especially true for ADHD among the pediatric population, as this is a time of rapid behavior and personality growth, as well

Over the past couple of decades there has been a huge increase in the diagnosis and prescriptions given out for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. According to a news report done by USA Today over the past five years use of ADHD medications have risen 40% totaling 39.5 million individual prescriptions ("New findings," 2009). When statistics like this are seen it is only normal for someone to ask questions. People are becoming curious about the legitimacy of the disorder, and whether or not the treatments being given to individuals are appropriate. The argument seems to be strong on both sides of the fence, but the extensive research done on ADHD leaves it hard for one to believe that it is a made up disorder.

ADHD affects more than 6 million children between the ages of 4-17 that causes them not to stay on task, have impulsive behaviors, poor academic performance and trouble with social interactions (Church, 2014). These symptoms are usually observed at home, school, and other social settings when compared to other children. Stimulant medications are prescribed as treatment to help reduce the symptoms and are recommended to be taken through adulthood (Church, 2014). However, once diagnosed, parents, adults and prescribers should look into alternative options first to help decrease the amount of medications needed (Church, 2014). The primary goal for any person with ADHD should consider behavioral modification or behavioral therapy, diet, and an environment change. Parents can also include attention and visual training, traditional talking and different techniques of discipline (The Nemours Foundation, 2017). Therapy attempts to change behavior patterns and helping not only the kids but struggling parents

Medications and psychosocial interventions are the most commonly used treatments for reducing ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents, even though most

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

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 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.