Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Neurobiology of a Disorder or a Difference?

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).

ADHD classifies as a congenital disorder and directly modifies the brain’s functions, including impairments in concentration, emotional regulation, memory, organization and other mental abilities under cognitive function.

In the psychiatric medical field, there is a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM) that provides very specific guidelines on how to recognize, diagnose, and treat mental disorders. ADHD was first introduced to the DSM in 1980 when the DSM-II was published. Since then, three more DSM’s were published, making DSM-V the most up-to-date published manual. In the DSM-V, it describes “people with ADHD [must] show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development” and a detailed list of criteria for either inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity follows (“Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)”). Also, everyone potential patient must present four specific conditions: they had to present the inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms prior to age twelve, the symptoms must be present in at least two different settings, the symptoms must impair the individual or evidently interfere with life, and the symptoms must not better fit any other mental disorder (“Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)”). Also, only professionals trained to diagnose ADHD are able to diagnose patients, therefore, eliminating any diagnostic errors attributed to a lack of

The DSM 5 criterion for ADHD is “ a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.” It was at first thought to be a type of mental retardation, until it became clear that those effected by symptoms where not stupid but in fact highly intelligent. However they stubbornly refused to conform to societal rules not due to lack of comprehension but due to what seemed to be a lack of self-control and general disregard for rules. George F. Still did a great amount of work in coming to understand the connection between these behaviors and neurological impulse in the early 19th century. Massive amounts of research was done in an effort for the medical community to explain the bizarre and socially inappropriate behaviors of different individuals.“ the history of compiling these symptoms into a formal diagnose represents an increasing drive to medicalize unconvential childhood behaviors” (Rafalovich) Understanding of ADHD has developed a great deal in the pass 100 years from being thought of as “imbecility”, to “minimal brain damage” to the present diagnosable psychological condition it is today. In fact it was not called Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder until 1980, in DSM-III (a diagnostic reference book for physicians). This is shocking considering the number of people that are diagnosed every year with a disorder that is

There are no tests done in the lab to prove a person has ADHD, therefore stating it has no correlation with rooting the brain as the cause. Such as creativity cannot be proven by tests, ADHD is the same situation. Instead, diagnosis of this such disorder, is done by symptoms, relating with inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity (3 Facts About ADHD & Why It's a "Fictitious" Disorder). Coincidentally, these are common behavioral attitudes of children...so are parents or teachers suggesting a child has ADHD because they have concern of a mental illness or want to label or blame their behavior? Research has proven that parents found more relief when they were told their child was suffering from a real biological illness. They rather hear that, for instance, their child has incurable schizophrenia, rather than consider and change their parenting style to improve their child’s behavior (Wedge 57). For this reason, many doctors such as neurologists strongly believe that ADHD is not a disorder, rather it should “be an umbrella of symptoms” (ADHD Is A Fake Disorder” Says Neurologist-Turned-Author). This disorder has given many misconceptions, such as, ‘a person who has ADHD always has difficulty with executive functions such as focusing on a task and keeping things in mind, regardless of what they are doing’ this is a myth--executive function impairments characteristic of ADHD is a situational variable rather (Brown 2). Different sources and

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a highly renowned disorder, known to affect hyperactivity, attention, and impulsivity, normally in young children. The National Institute of Mental Health does affirm the legitimacy of ADHD as a mental health disorder. However, there has been much argument over the years, debating whether ADHD is a true psychiatric disorder. Timimi and Radcliffe disagree with the assertion made by the NIMH, saying that ADHD is not a real medical disorder, but rather it is “an agenda-driven, socially constructed entity invented by Western society” (page 1).

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often seen in children of preschool age to twelve years of age. This disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes one to have excessive amounts of hyperness and difficulty focusing. This disorder not only affects the child, but also the family and educators. While mainly treated with drug therapy, new forms of treatment are forming and promise to become successful (Ghuman, 2017).

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 can cause multiple areas of the brain to malfunction or cause the brain to make an immediate action. In a recent review of ADHD and the myths behind it, researchers were able to say that, “research shows that it is a result of an imbalance of chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters, within the brain” (Myths Debunked 1). Showing that within the brain, people with ADHD are not getting the chemicals they need to stay focused and get a job done. The cause of imbalances of chemicals in the brain can cause the person with ADHD to be inattentive, impulsive, and maybe even hyperactive. There have been multiple studies that show that people with ADHD are more likely to expressed their emotions out publicly and have trouble in the development of internal language. ADHD shows that within the brain it causes the person to feel less stimulated which would explain why it is a lot harder for ADHD people to get a job done that bores them. In a study by Ari Tuckman, he was able to conclude that, “those with ADHD perform better when they do tasks they find interesting or enjoy” (Tuckman 1). Which shows that within an ADHD brain, they need more stimulation to be able to do a job that will not distract them. Further proving that the imbalance of chemicals within an ADHD brain can prove that ADHD is a real mental

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

ADHD or ADD, a mental illness in which every American thinks they seem to have at times. Many people seem to think at times they have ‘ADHD brain’ at times or say they are ‘so ADHD’. ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a mental disorder which is characterized by the DSM-V as impairing one's attention, shifting tasks constantly, and displaying hyperactive behavior (European consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of Adult ADHD: The European Network Adult ADHD). Although some people seem to think ADHD is just something kids experience nowadays, recent research is showing perhaps ADHD is a product of natural selection, and at one time needed to survive in nomadic settings. Many people afflicted with ADHD seem to think they were biologically wired in a certain way and recent research is pointing to the fact that this

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

It is determined ADHD, is caused by an imbalance of chemicals affecting certain parts of the human brain that work with attention, impulses and concentration Mall & Holland, (2013). Some of the symptoms include daydreaming, forgetting or losing items, and having difficulty resisting temptation. Some of the medication that is provided to patients with ADHD is Ritalin and Concerta. There are some concerns that ADHD medication may led to substance abuse Brown University, (2013). According to Brown University, (2013), the increase in the diagnosis of ADHD may have resulted from over – diagnoses of ADHD or inaccurate information reported from the parents that were surveyed by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). This report has raised questions about the increase in ADHD

ADHD Research Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disability in which children consistently show one or more of the following characteristics over a period of time. (1) Inattention, (2) hyperactivity, and (3) impulsivity (Kirst-Ashman, Zastrow 2004). Children who are inattentive have difficulty focusing on any one thing and may get bored with a task after only a few minutes. Children who are hyperactive show high levels of physical activity, almost always seeming to be in motion. Children who are impulsive have difficulty curbing their reactions and don’t do a good job of thinking before they act.

“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).