Is ADHD Evolution?

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD, is the lifespan neurodevelopment disorder, that symptomizes of inattentiveness, impulsiveness, forgetfulness, distractibility and hyperactivity and is highly heritable and this heritable disorder has been transition, or a process that events throughout the lifespan should not affected it, into adulthood (Swift, Sayal, & Hollis, (2014); Ertekin, et. al.,). Often, adults with ADHD also experience a negative effect on socio-personal adaptation (Miranda et al., 2014). Young adults with ADHD fall I not the category between Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, also known as CAMHS, and Adult Mental Health Service, or AMHS: it is possible that ADHD in adults is not recognizable

I will be examining the characteristics of ADHD as a disorder in modern time and its association with how ADHD correlates with behavior of earlier humans, particularly in nomadic settings. ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopment Psychiatric disorder, in which impairs one’s attention, making one exhibit hyperactive behavior as well as exhibiting impatient behaviors. ADHD has been a long part of human history, with writer Sir Alexander Criton describing it as mental restlessness. However, it was only until 1902 when ADHD was clearly described by a writer known as George Still. ADHD was officially declared a mental disorder in 1980 when it was introduced into the DSM-III.

ADHD is indeed a part of the Western Culture. People are familiar with the term, treatment and some behaviors that ‘shows’ its existence; and since it has become part of the culture itself it is considered as something relatively normal -or at least common. Both sides of the debate agree on the fact that the behaviors called ADHD do exist, but is it a biological disease? A conduct disorder? Or are we as humans trying to narrow our behaviors in the way where anyone who is not as ‘efficient’ as us are considered to be ‘sick’?

Among the many theoretical frameworks proposed to explain ADHD symptoms and causes, psychological and neurobiological perspectives are the most commonly evoked to conceptualize the disorder. Proponents of the psychological perspective are divided into two major groups of theories: top-down theories and bottom-up theories. Top down process emphasize some form of cognitive control, while bottom-up process emphasize motivational or energetic factors. For the present discussion, I will focus on top-down theory of ADHD, given that Barkley’s executive functioning

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder, that is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning and development (Gargiulo). People who have been diagnosed with ADHD have difficulties with controlling their behavior and may also have difficulties in self-regulation in their actions towards others. These people may be characterized as being inattentive, may procrastinate, have a tendency to be easily bored, and may be easily distracted (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). These characteristics and difficulties may cause various social issues between those affected with ADHD and their companions, as well as emotional issues when one is not allowed to freely do what they want (Ghuman, 45).

Several recent studies have explored the interplay between different genetic and environmental risk factors associated with ADHD. One of the main motivators for these investigations is that, in twin studies, gene markers have only been implicated in a small fraction of heritability. Therefore, there has been a need to identify the environmental conditions that favor the highest genetic impact, along with the genotypic profiles that make the environmental experiences more influential. Several psychosocial factors, including low income, family conflict and adversity, are thought to show some level of genetic interaction when it comes to contributing to ADHD symptoms, primarily with the DAT1 and 5-HTT genotypes

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a phrase that has moved out of the realm of pure science or psychology and into common parlance. Like depression, the public has a general and vague sense of the "type" of person who may have ADHD, and has heard the name Ritalin, the main drug used in treatment, bandied about. As the name of the disorder implies, its symptoms present generally as "inattention and a combination of hyperactive and impulsive behaviors" (2). ADHD has only recently been able to be tangibly identified in the nervous system, and its' diagnostic criteria has continued to be revised. The discovery of specific physiological

The medicalization of ADHD should not always be considered a bad thing. Medicalization legitimizes the disorder itself, meaning people see the disorder as a real thing. This is beneficial for people who have problems with hyperactivity and impulsivity. The legitimization of the disorder helps people who are suffering and helps get them the treatment and medicine they need. However, the way this disorder, specifically, has become medicalized has led to problems within our society. Michelle Frank states that “chemical and structural differences in the brain” are what causes the disorder. Believing that chemical imbalances within the brain as the source of these problems is a form of social control instilled within the minds of people. Society

The causal factors for ADHD in children have been much debated. It still remains unclear to what extent the disorder results from environmental or biological factors (Carr et al., 2006; Hinshaw et al., 2007), and recent researchers believe that biological factors such as genetic inheritance will turn out to be important precursors to the development of ADHD (Durston, 2003). But firm conclusions about any biological basis for ADHD must await further research (Butcher & Hooley, 2014, p. 513).

DNA contains the genetic information that makes us who we are, from our genotype to our phenotype. Our genetic makeup can contribute to our behaviour and so much more. However, because we are very complex beings the ways in which our genes contribute to our behaviour also works in a complex manner (Nelson & Israel, 2015). Numerous studies have been conducted to examine the correlation between genetics and behavioral disorders such as ADHD. The purpose of this essay is to examine the role genetics plays in the development of ADHD, the ways in which ADHD can affect development, and the importance of understanding that ADHD has a dimensional nature of diagnosis and works in a continuum.

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

Many physicians presently believe ADHD is an inherited neurological disorder best treated with drugs. Smith addresses why children were first diagnosed with the disorder, why biological reasons became predominant, how influential drugs became the chosen treatment, and why alternative clarifications have failed to attain any validity. It’s important to note that hyperactive children are also a product of their social, cultural, and educational environment and Smith demonstrates how knowledge about the history of ADHD can lead to better decisions about its diagnosis and

Many scientific and non-scientific suggestions have been made regarding the causes ADHD. However, there are no definitive conclusions or agreements made on what exactly causes ADHD in children. Some have associated ADHD with nongenetic physiological and behavioral factors such as low birthweight, traumatic brain injury, prenatal stress, maternal smoking, etc. (Arcangelo & Peterson, 2013). Others associated ADHD with chemical and environmental factors and they argue that environmental factors play a role in altering and modulating genes that regulate the manufacturing of neurotransmitters that are essential for normal functions of the brain, especially for attention, inhibiting external distraction and self-control (Burns et al., 20013).

Next, because of the accumulated data gather by Licari & Licari (2008) within the study, which includes the association of ADHD with “poor balance, decreased fine moto ability, decreased gross motor ability, and impaired motor response resulting in slow reaction times”, Columbo-Dougivito (2013) postulated that “it could be hypothesized that these children also have low fitness levels” (as cited in Columbo-Dougivito,