Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and its indicators
Recent studies indicate that one in every ten children has been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the United States. This means that the children have difficulty executing tasks that require focused attention over long periods of time. Tonight’s Healthy Living focuses on Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD, and ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Marleni Cuellar, Reporting
Inattention, Restlessness, easily bored, lack of focus, forgetfulness; if you have young children, these all seem like perfectly normal children behaviors. While that is true, there are some persons, who struggle with all these behaviors beyond their childhood. ADD & ADHD are complex mental health disorders that can affect a child’s success in school and with interpersonal relationships.
Aimee Jex, Counselor
Aimee Jex
“It’s under the same umbrella but you have two types you have the people who are diagnosed with attention deficit which is basically they don’t pay attention. You have the people who are diagnosed with hyperactivity and those are the kids who can’t sit still.”
ADD & ADHD must be diagnosed by trained professionals, mental health therapists or doctors. With symptoms that are so common, parents often become misguided which is why it is important to remember that all children are going to exhibit some of these behaviors some of the time. Kids will be kids, after all.
Aimee Jex
“You have parents who come in and say my child has ADHD and he or she needs medication and you sit down and you find out that the child is just playful. So when it becomes a major issue, further down the line, that it affects their learning, when it affects their interaction with peers, when it affects their interaction with teachers with the adults, that is when it becomes diagnosable. Like with a baby, you have something new, you have their attention then they get distracted by something else, as you grow up you are able to focus on something for a longer time. With kids with ADHD, they are just not wired that way; they cannot function like a regular child would. When diagnosing, you never just take the parent’s word for it. As a school counselor, as a teacher, you have to go and find out what the parents think, what the teachers think, what the extended family thinks, if there have been issues with other students all of these are factors that come into diagnosing.”
Persons living with ADHD can be grouped into three categories, those who are predominantly inattentive, those who are predominantly hyperactive-Impulsive and a combination of the two. Recent data shows that children can be diagnosed as young as four; but the behaviors are more apparent in school children. The treatment includes therapy with the children and parents so that they learn how to help their child; it may also include medication.
Aimee Jex
“In addition to medication the main focus of treatment is structuring the child’s environment, yes at school has a structure, but where it starts off is at home. These children are sometime labeled as the problem child, they may be treated differently and that creates an expectation of society. You’re not expected to achieve much. This is why I say it’s important to have parents support to have that family support and acknowledge and praise the children the positive things that they do to make sure that they can be a functional adult.”
Thanks for the article, it was fantastic! I hope you can follow-up soon with the ADD/ADHD issues in adults, too. I copied/pasted the following information from Wikipedia online. Oh, and by-the-way, I’m in Texas. God bless you and your good work! Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (also referred to as adult ADHD, adult ADD or simply ADHD in adults) is the neurobiological condition of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. About one-third[1]p. 44 to two-thirds[2]p. 87 of children with symptoms from early childhood continue to demonstrate notable ADHD symptoms throughout life.
Three subtypes of ADHD are identified in the DSM-IV (inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and combined). In later life, the hyperactive/impulsive subtype manifests more frequently.[1]p. 44 Adults with ADHD typically have difficulty following directions, remembering information, concentrating, organizing tasks, or completing work within time limits or meeting appointments. Low self-esteem is common. These difficulties cause life problems within several different arenas, such as emotional, social, vocational, marital, legal, financial or academic areas.[3][4] Adult attention deficit disorder (AADD) is marked by inattentiveness, difficulty getting work done, procrastination, and organization problems.[5]
Diagnosis of the condition includes assessment by clinicians, with examination of personal history, observational evidence from family members and report cards going back to school years etc.,[6] and neuropsychological tests as well as evaluation to rule out other possibilities or diagnose co-morbid (coincident) conditions.
The condition is highly heritable,[2]p. 32 and while its exact causes are not fully known, genetic and environmental factors are understood to play a part. ADHD is a childhood-onset condition, usually requiring symptoms to have been present before age seven for a diagnosis. Children under treatment will migrate to adult health services if necessary as they transit into adulthood, while diagnosis of adults involves full examination of their history.
Successful treatment of ADHD is usually based on a combination of medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and coaching or skills training.[7] Within school and work, reasonable accommodations may be put in place to help the individual work more efficiently and productively.
Early work on disorders of attention was conducted by Alexander Crichton in 1798 writing about “mental restlessness”.[8] The underlying condition came to be recognized from the early 1900s by Sir George Still.[9][10]p. 6 Efficacy of medications on symptoms was discovered during the 1930s and research continued throughout the twentieth century. ADHD in adults began to be studied from the early 1970s and research has increased as worldwide interest in the condition has grown.
Contents [hide]
1 Classification
2 Signs and symptoms
3 Diagnosis
4 Pathophysiology
5 Treatment 5.1 Medications
5.2 Psychosocial therapy
5.3 Neurofeedback
6 Epidemiology
7 History
8 Societal impact
9 Controversies
10 References
11 External links
Classification[edit]
Approximate distribution of ADHD subtypes in adults[1]
The DSM-IV, or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 2000 edition, defines three types of ADHD:
an inattentive type
a hyperactive/impulsive type
a combined type
To meet the diagnostic criteria of ADHD, an individual must display:
at least six inattentive-type symptoms for the inattentive-type
at least six hyperactive-type symptoms for the hyperactive/impulsive type
all of the above to have the combined-type
The symptoms (see below) need to have been present since before the individual was seven years old, and must have interfered with at least two spheres of his or her functioning (at home and at school or work, for example) over the last six months.[11] The DSM-IV criteria for ADHD are, however, tailored towards the type of symptoms that children would show, and might therefore underestimate the prevalence of ADHD in adults.[1]
Signs and symptoms[edit]
Individuals with ADHD have deficiencies with self-regulation and self-motivation, that cause problems with distractibility, procrastination, organization, and prioritization. The learning potential and overall intelligence of an adult with ADHD, however, are no different from the potential and intelligence of adults who do not have the disorder. ADHD is a chronic condition, beginning in early childhood and persisting throughout a person’s lifetime. It is estimated that up to 60% of children with ADHD will continue to have significant ADHD-related symptoms persisting into adulthood, resulting in a significant impact on education, employment, and interpersonal relationships.[12][13]
Whereas teachers and caregivers responsible for children are often attuned to the symptoms of ADHD, employers and others who interact with adults are far less likely to regard such behaviors as a symptom. In part, this is because symptoms do change with maturity; adults who have ADHD are less likely to exhibit obvious hyperactive behaviors.
Adults with ADHD are often perceived by others as chaotic and disorganized, with a tendency to need high stimulation to be less distracted and function effectively. Additionally, many adults suffer from associated or “co-morbid” psychiatric conditions such as depression or anxiety.[12] Many with ADHD also have associated learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, which contributes to their difficulties.[14]
Symptoms of ADHD can vary widely between individuals and throughout the lifetime of an individual. As the neurobiology of ADHD is becoming increasingly understood, it is becoming evident that difficulties exhibited by individuals with ADHD are due to problems with the parts of the brain responsible for executive functions (see below: Pathophysiology). These result in problems with sustaining attention, planning, organizing, prioritizing, and impulsive thinking/decision making.
The difficulties generated by these symptoms can range from moderate to extreme. Inability to effectively structure their lives, plan daily tasks, or think of consequences results in various difficulties: poor performance in school and work leading to underachievement in these areas, in young adults poor driving record with traffic violations,[15] as well as histories of alcoholism or substance abuse. As problems accumulate, a negativistic self-view becomes established and a vicious circle of failure is set up. Up to 80% of adults may have some form of psychiatric comorbidity.[16] The difficulty is often due to the ADHD person’s observed behaviour (e.g. the impulsive types, who may insult their boss for instance, resulting in dismissal), despite genuinely trying to avoid these and knowing that it can get them in trouble. Often, the ADHD person will miss things that an adult of similar age and experience should catch onto or know. These lapses can lead others to label the individuals with ADHD as “lazy” or “stupid” or “inconsiderate”.
Ultimately, this constellation of symptoms can be summarized as a deficiency in self-regulation and self-motivation, especially for the impulsive/hyperactive types. Assessment of adult patients seeking a possible diagnosis can be better than in children due to the adult’s greater ability to provide their own history, input, and insight. However, it has been noted that many individuals, particularly those with high intelligence, develop coping strategies that mask ADHD impairments and therefore they do not seek diagnosis and treatment.[17]
Inattentive-type (ADHD-I)
Hyperactive/Impulsive-type (ADHD-H)
In children: Forgetful during daily activities
Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
Losing important items (e.g. pencils, homework, toys, etc.)
Not listening and not responding to name being called out
Unable to focus on tasks at hand, cannot sustain attention in activities
Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort
Makes careless mistakes by failing to pay attention to details
Difficulty organizing tasks and activities
Always asking for attention
Fails to follow-through on complex instructions and tasks (e.g. homework, chores, etc.)
In children:
Squirms and fidgets (with hands and/or feet)
Cannot sit still
Cannot play quietly or engage in leisurely activities
Talks excessively
Runs and climbs excessively
Always on the go, as if “driven by a motor”
Cannot wait for their turn
Blurts out answers
Intrudes on others and interrupts conversations
In adults, these evolve into:[16] Avoiding tasks or jobs that require concentration
Procrastination
Difficulty initiating tasks
Difficulty organizing details required for a task
Difficulty recalling details required for a task
Difficulty multitasking
Poor time management, losing track of time
Indecision and doubt
Hesitation of execution
Difficulty persevering or completing and following through on tasks
Delayed stop and transition of concentration from one task to another
In adults:
Chooses highly active, stimulating jobs
Avoids situations with low physical activity or sedentary work
May choose to work long hours or two jobs
Seeks constant activity
Easily bored
Impatient
Intolerant and frustrated, easily irritated
Impulsive, snap decisions and irresponsible behaviors
Loses temper easily, angers quickly
Diagnosis[edit]
The diagnosis of ADHD in adults requires retrospectively establishing whether the symptoms were also present in childhood, even if not previously recognized. As with other mental disorders such as schizophrenia there is no objective “test” that diagnoses ADHD.[18][19] Rather, it is a combination of a careful history of symptoms up to early childhood, including corroborating evidence from family members, previous report cards, etc. along with a neuropsychiatric evaluation. The neuropsychiatric evaluation often includes a battery of tests to assess overall intelligence and general knowledge, self-reported ADHD symptoms, ADHD symptoms reported by others, and tests to screen for co-morbid conditions. Some of these include, but are not limited to the WAIS, BADDS, Connors and/or WURS tests in order to have some objective evidence of ADHD. The screening tests also seek to rule out other conditions or differential diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. Other diseases such as hyperthyroidism may exhibit symptoms similar to those of ADHD, and it is imperative to rule these out as well. Asperger syndrome, a condition on the autism spectrum, is sometimes mistaken for ADHD, due to impairments in executive functioning found in some people with Asperger syndrome. However, Asperger syndrome also typically involves difficulties in social interaction, restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests, and problems with sensory processing, including hypersensitivity.
United States medical and mental health professionals follow the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association; the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is often used by health professionals elsewhere. Periodic updates incorporate changes in knowledge and treatments.[20] For example, under DSM-IV (published in 1994, with corrections and minor changes in 2000), the diagnostic criteria for ADHD in adults broadly follow the same as in children,[21] but the proposed revision for the DSM-5 differentiates the presentation of ADHD for children and adults for several symptoms.[22]
It should be noted that every normal individual exhibits ADHD-like symptoms occasionally (when tired or stressed, for example) but to have the diagnosis, the symptoms should be present from childhood and persistently interfere with functioning in multiple spheres of an individual’s life: work, school, and interpersonal relationships. The symptoms that individuals exhibit as children are still present in adulthood, but manifest differently as most adults develop compensatory mechanisms to adapt to their environment.
Pathophysiology[edit]
Over the last 30 years, research into ADHD has greatly accelerated.[23] There is no single, unified theory that explains the cause of ADHD and research is ongoing. Genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a part.[24][25]
It is becoming increasingly accepted that individuals with ADHD have difficulty with “executive functioning”. In higher organisms, such as humans, these functions are thought to reside in the frontal lobes. They enable recall of tasks that need accomplishing, organization to accomplish these tasks, assessment of consequences of actions, prioritization of thoughts and actions, keeping track of time, awareness of interactions with surroundings, the ability to focus despite competing stimuli, and adaptation to changing situations.
Several lines of research based on structural and/or functional imaging techniques, stimulant drugs, psychological interventions have identified alterations in the dopaminergic and adrenergic pathways of individuals with ADHD. In particular, areas of the prefrontal cortex appear to be the most affected. Dopamine and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters playing an important role in brain function. The uptake transporters for dopamine[26] and norepinephrine[27] are overly active and clear these neurotransmitters from the synapse a lot faster than in normal individuals. This is thought to increase processing latency and salience, and diminished working memory.[citation needed]
Treatment[edit]
See also: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder management
Treatment for adult ADHD may combine medication and behavioral, cognitive, or vocational interventions. Treatment often begins with medication selected to address the symptoms of ADHD, along with any comorbid conditions that may be present. Medication alone, while effective in correcting the physiological symptoms of ADHD, will not address the paucity of skills which many adults will have failed to acquire because of their ADHD (e.g., one might regain ability to focus with medication, but skills such as organizing, prioritizing and effectively communicating have taken others time to cultivate).[28]
Medications[edit]
Stimulants are typically formulated in short and long-acting formulations as well as fast and slow-acting.
The fast-acting methylphenidate (or MPH), with short and long-acting formulations, is often the first-line therapy. In the short term, methylphenidate is well tolerated. However, long term studies have not been conducted in adults and concerns about increases in blood pressure have not been established.[29] Methylphenidate acts to hold the available dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain longer for increased neurotransmission. It acts to block the dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake transporters, thus slowing the removal at which these neurotransmitters are cleared from the synapses.
Also with the same action but with an addition is, the also fast-acting, amphetamine and its derivatives also with short and long-acting formulations. In addition to reuptake inhibition, it increases the release of these neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.[30] They may have a better side-effect profile than methylphenidate cardiovascularly and potentially better tolerated.[31]
The slow and long-acting stimulant atomoxetine (Strattera), is also an effective treatment for adult ADHD. It is particularly effective for those with the predominantly inattentive concentration type of attention deficit due to being primarily a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.[32] It is often prescribed in adults who cannot tolerate the side effects of amphetamines or methylphenidate. It is also approved for ADHD by the US Food and Drug Administration. A rare but potentially severe side effect includes liver damage and increased suicidal ideation.[33]
Moclobemide, desipramine and bupropion are antidepressants that have demonstrated some evidence of effectiveness in the management of ADHD particularly when there is comorbid major depression.[34] Although, antidepressants have lower treatment effect sizes.[35]
Psychosocial therapy[edit]
Treatment of adult ADHD may also include forms of stress management or relaxation training.
Research has shown that, alongside medication, psychological interventions in adults can be effective in reducing symptomatic deficiencies.[36] Emerging evidence suggests a possible role for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) alongside medication[25] in the treatment of adult ADHD.[37]
Neurofeedback[edit]
Some efficacy of neurofeedback in treating attentional deficit in adults was found in an study.[38]
Epidemiology[edit]
Main article: Epidemiology of attention deficit hyperactive disorder
In North America and Europe, it is estimated that three to five percent of adults have ADHD, but only about ten percent of those have received a formal diagnosis.[39][40] It has been estimated that 5% of the global population has ADHD (including cases not yet diagnosed).[41] In the context of the World Health Organization World Mental Health Survey Initiative, researchers screened more than 11,000 people aged 18 to 44 years in ten countries in the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. On this basis they estimated the adult ADHD proportion of the population to average 3.5 percent with a range of 1.2 to 7.3 percent, with a significantly lower prevalence in low-income countries (1.9%) compared to high-income countries (4.2%). The researchers concluded that adult ADHD often co-occurs with other disorders, and that it is associated with considerable role disability. Although they found that few adults are treated for ADHD itself, in many instances treatment is given for the co-occurring disorders.[42]
History[edit]
Main article: History of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
In the 1970s researchers began to realize that the condition now known as ADHD did not always disappear in adolescence, as was once thought.[23] At about the same time, some of the symptoms were also noted in many parents of the children under treatment.[citation needed] The condition was formally recognized as afflicting adults in 1978, often informally called adult ADD, since symptoms associated with hyperactivity are generally less pronounced.[citation needed]
Societal impact[edit]
ADHD in adults, as with children, is recognized as an impairment that may constitute a disability under U.S. federal disability nondiscrimination laws, including such laws as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA, 2008 revision), if the disorder substantially limits one or more of an individual’s major life activities. For adults whose ADHD does constitute a disability, workplaces have a duty to provide reasonable accommodations, and educational institutions have a duty to provide appropriate academic adjustments or modifications, to help the individual work more efficiently and productively.[43][44]
In a 2004 study it was estimated that the yearly income discrepancy for adults with ADHD was $10,791 less per year than high school graduate counterparts and $4,334 lower for college graduate counterparts. The study estimates a total loss in productivity in the United States of over $77 billion USD. By contrast, loss estimations are $58 billion for drug abuse, $85 billion for alcohol abuse, and $43 billion for depression.[45]
Controversies[edit]
Main article: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder controversies
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