Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) signifies a major public health problem. Diagnoses continue to rise each year, yet the rates of treated ADHD are declining. There is a lot of controversy about treatments for ADHD today. Helpful treatment options like medications and therapies are receiving negative views with many saying that treatment is not necessary or the negatives outweigh the benefits. Those against treatment cite problems like substance abuse and negative side effects. However, ADHD greatly impacts a person’s life, as well as everyone in that person’s life. Treatments help tremendously, relieving many of the symptoms and improving functioning capabilities. Despite the negativity recently about treatments for ADHD, treatments are necessary. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral and mental disorder in children. Recent data shows that approximately 9% of all children ages four to seventeen are currently diagnosed with ADHD. A review of 102 studies showed that ADHD have a worldwide prevalence of 5.29%, meaning ADHD is a very widespread disease affecting many people across the country. Recently, many people are questioning the validity of an ADHD diagnosis. Critics think it is over-diagnosed and “children are receiving unnecessary and inappropriate treatment” (McLeod et al. 1). Since there are no tests that diagnose ADHD without a doubt, people are wondering if maybe this disorder is being blown out of
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 is affecting children and adults at vast numbers. The growing numbers of people affected by Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), made the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognize the importance of educating the public. The CDC discusses the signs and symptoms, different types of ADHD, causes of ADHD, diagnosis process, treatments, and resources with the public. The CDC is a trusted agency. The CDC’s website is credible because the writers use effective appeal to logos, ethos, and pathos to educate their audience.
There are various resources that parents and caregivers can access to get informed about ADHD. ADHD can have an impact on a child’s life. The National Health Institute reported that 3 – 5 % of children in the United States were diagnosed with ADHD, this is approximately two million children (Mall & Holland, 2013). According to (Schwarz & Cohen, n.d), mild symptoms of ADHD have been diagnosed. The rise of ADHD diagnosed over the past several years has caused increasing concerns among many doctors that ADHD diagnosis and medication are being overused. Parents and caregivers are also concerned about the increase in ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD, has become a well-known disorder that our ears hear lightly and many don’t think twice about. Although, ADHD is presented in over 11,000,000 people that are living in the United States (Frank, 2017). ADHD is prevalent in both women and men of all various ages. Once one has this disorder, it stays with them forever. However, many therapists as well as psychologist believe that this disorder is over diagnosed and leads into false and inaccurate prescriptions. Due to ADHD being primarily diagnosed at the age of 7 (Holland, 2014), the main symptoms leading into the identity of ADHD are hyper activity, being easily distracted, acting out, daydreaming, physical aggression, and a lack
The website provided by Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), is The National Resource Center on the disorder ADHD. With so many informative websites on different disorders and diseases, it can be hard to decide where to get the best, most credible information. The NRC is and CHADD have teamed up to provide a website that is an evidence-based platform for ADHD (CHADD, 2015). There are some common misconceptions of ADHD and even people who may doubt that this disorder exists, or doubt the validity of the disorder. The purpose of this website is to educate the general public on ADHD and it does a thorough job of doing so. The website shatters all misconceptions and proves the disbelievers wrong. It uses
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly found disorder in children in the United States. Statistics show that the male to female ratio for children with ADHD is eight to one. 4.4 million Children between the ages four to seventeen have diagnosed with ADHD (Cheng Tina L et al.). African American children are at a higher risk for having ADHD. Caucasian children are least likely to have ADHD. 2.5 million children receive medication for ADHD, but African American children are half as likely as Caucasian children to take ADHD medication(Cheng Tina L et al.). If African American children do not take medication for ADHD the child will most likely do drugs, drop out of school, or find it harder to receive a job when they get older. There is not cure for children who have ADHD, but there is medication children can take to decrease their hyperactive and impulsive symptoms. Adderall, Methylin, Concerta, and Focalin are some of the medications given for children who have ADHD. Methylphenidate is the most common medication prescribed by physicians for ADHD. “Methylphenidate takes effects within fifteen minutes of taking it and lasts between four and twelve hours a day.” (Hughes, Katsiyannis, and Ryan). Although medication is out there for the children to take, some of the medication given haves negative side effects. ADHD is not preventable. Parents should not only avoid drinking, smoking, or doing any other type of drugs to prevent ADHD, but also to prevent
The numbers can be mind-blowing! Ever since Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been surveyed on a national level the numbers of affected persons diagnosed with the disorder has continued to climb. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013) ADHD was first surveyed, using input from parents and providers, in 1997. Not only have numbers of diagnosed patients and population percentage with the disorder shown an upward trend in growth, so have the number of available prescription medications used to treat the disorder. There is no doubt that there are other means of treating ADHD and many parents and providers may decide an anti-medication approach by utilizing improving behavioral/cognitive therapy practices and techniques. Still though, it seems that it is assumed that medication is the most popular and effective treatment method used to treat and/or maintain the symptoms of the disorder.
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder has a complicated and interesting history and because of that it is important to understands this disorders implications and comorbidity to better treat and diagnose it. Research done by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 11% of the US population between the ages of 4-17 are affected with ADHD; that’s 6.4 million children and the prevalence of diagnosis is only increasing (2016). It was generally assumed that ADHD was something children would grow out of but new studies show that approximately 4% of the adult population in the US are still suffering from ADHD or have developed ADHD (Breyer, J. L., Lee, S., Winters, K. C., August, G. J., & Realmuto, G. M. 2014). ADHD is
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.
There are many negatives involved in ADHD, but what’s often overlooked, are the positives. One of these positives is the fact that this disorder is very manageable and treatable. We have an extended amount of knowledge from numerous studies that have been done since the disorder was discovered. From these studies we now know that this disorder can affect people in many ways and be a burden on someone if not treated properly.
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)
The diagnosis of attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has increased significantly over recent years and along with the rise in diagnosis is the dramatic surge in prescription medication as treatment. ADHD is a behavior issue, not a disease. As an alternative to prescribing medication to alter a child’s behavior, parents, teachers, and doctors need to determine and find a resolution to the root cause of the negative behavior. Medication is not a cure for ADHD and does not solve the issues that create negative behavior – alternatives to drugs are available to make the necessary behavior modifications in children.
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
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services throughout recent years the number of diagnosed cases of childhood ADHD has continued to increase from 7.8 % in 2003, to 9.5% in 2007, 11% in 2011 (US CDC Statistics, 2016) It is estimated now that there are nearly 7 million children throughout The United States of America that have been diagnosed with this disorder. This is a number that has grown rapidly over recent years due in part to the growing research and understanding of the condition and the evolving diagnostic criteria for diagnosis. The American Psychiatric Association currently defines Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as” a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development, has symptoms presenting in two or more settings (e.g. at home, school, or work; with friends or relatives; in other activities), and negatively impacts directly on social, academic or occupational functioning.” (DSM-V, 2013) With such a number of people effected by ADHD, it is surprising to see how uninformed, or at the very least, misinformed, the majority of the population remains concerning the disorder.
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