Pertinent Positives

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).

Case Description In this paper, I will be referring to the individual as Bella. She is a 21-year-old junior in college with a major in biology. As for her background, she mainly lives with her mother and younger brother. Bella has experienced intense anxiety throughout her entire life and has recently started seeking professional treatment. She experiences symptoms like persistent worry, panic attacks, loneliness, and trouble sleeping.

Leon is a 45-year old male who entered a clinic to obtain treatment for his depression. Reviewing Leon’s past and current issues, it is most accurate to state that Leon is experiencing Social Anxiety Disorder 300.23 (F40.10). Leon meets all the criteria documented (except Criteria E., as it does not state specifically that Leon is threatened by any means in any social settings), which goes as follows: A. “Marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. Examples include social interactions, being observed, and performing in front of others” (Leon experienced/experiences all three circumstances consistently throughout his lifetime [oral participation, invitations to

When looking into 16-year-old Richards case a few details stand out instantly. Richard has not talked to his biological mother in a couple of years and has had no contact with father. Moved from living with his Aunt Mavis into foster care due to being unable to follow rules and losing his temper often. According to the Mavis, Richard has a hard time sustaining attention, he is easily distracted, talks and interrupts others in class. This shows signs of ADHD which is “identified by the symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. When the main symptoms are inattention, distraction, and disorganization, the type is usually called primarily inattentive. The symptoms of hyperactivity and possibly impulsiveness appear to diminish with age but are seen in the primarily hyperactive/impulsive type” (Berger, 2014).

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

We have all witnessed children who cannot sit in their seat for a long period of time, have difficulties concentrating on their homework, talking excessively, easily distracted, and just daydreaming in class. The characteristics and behaviors mentioned are the diagnostic criteria for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but every child displays one or more of those traits just by being children. For me these traits are all too common. When my son was five he shared some of these characteristics in school, he was disruptive in class, had a difficult time completing assignments, and very hyper. I was asked by his teacher if I ever had him tested for ADHD, and at that time, not being very

The treatment of people with ADHD has varied over the years with what they can and cannot do. “ADHD stands for Attention-defiance hyperactivity disorder, it is a condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity” (NAMI). Usually, it is diagnosed in early childhood, but it is not limited to children, adults can also be diagnosed later in their years. The diagnose effects about 9% in children ages 9-17 and 2-4% adults. The symptoms are different for everyone, because there is such a wide range of diagnoses. ADHD itself cannot be determined by just one test, it takes a series of test. Symptoms include, difficult engaging is activities quietly, excessive talking, difficult times in paying attention and failure to pay

    Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a highly controversial disease. In the past and even today ADHD has been extremely overdiagnosed in youth. There are many reasons why this disease is so frequently improperly diagnosed. In previous editions of the DSM, criteria for diagnosing ADHD was exponentially less than the criteria in the DSM-5. This caused diagnosis of the disease to be more frequent. On top of having little criteria for diagnosis, pharmaceutical companies have promoted drugs for the disease more

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which children have substantial difficulties paying attention and/or demonstrate hyperactivity-impulsivity (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). ADHD is primarily diagnosed when a child is in elementary school (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) and the diagnosis requires that the child has major problems in more than one location, for example at school and at home (Subcommittee on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity et al., 2011). There are various scales that have been completed by parents, and teachers in order to help with ADHD diagnosis, such as the Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Scale, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Strengths and

According to Dr. Rosemary Hutchinson, ADHD is one of the most difficult conditions to diagnose and at least three evaluations with the family should be done before making a diagnosis. It is important for a doctor to have knowledge of the child’s illnesses, developmental milestones, and family life. ADD/ADHD have the symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity are common to a number of other conditions that can be mistaken for ADD/ADHD. Children may show signs of these behaviors due to family and social problems. (Hutchinson)

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a common mental disorder whose definition continues to change. Most clinicians make a diagnosis off of a list of symptoms in three categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. There are three different subtypes of ADHD: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Combined Type if both the inattentive criteria and the hyperactive/impulsive criteria have been present for the past six months; Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Predominantly Inattentive Type if the inattention criteria are met but the hyperactive/impulsive criteria has not been present for the past six months; and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive

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

Additional Information: difficulty in school prior to 12 years old, joint pain, two concussions within the past year.

The process for diagnosing one with attention-deficit hyperactive disorder is quite complicated. To diagnosis someone, the process requires different factors and groups of people. When one suspects that a child has this disorder, it is recommended that a system of contacts be put together with school and other personnel to observe the child (Wolraich et. Al. 2011). There are a few characteristics that someone with attention deficit hyperactive disorder typically have. Those qualities include, a persistent pattern of impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity as well as difficulty staying on task, and difficultly staying organized that affects development and functioning (American Psychiatric Association 90). Not only are these

Mark’s diagnosis is Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. According to the DSM-V criteria, Mark has expressed at least five symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention which has been present prior to him being 12. His symptoms were also present in two or more setting (home and school) and it also interferes with his academic function. Additionally, his symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder.