Along Lines of Process and Emotional Struggle with ADHD in the Family - Research Paper Example

 Along lines of Process and emotional struggle with ADHD in the Family Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Introduction The main function of the brain is to control voluntary and involuntary mechanisms of the body. It is through these mechanisms that one is able to survive with a normal integrative thought process. It is because of the abnormal function of the brain that certain disorders are seen in the human beings. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is an example of such a disorder which diminishes the normal functions of the brain. Initially it was thought that ADHD only occurred in adults but it has been found that this condition also affects adults. This essay would revolve around the perspectives of ADHD and as to how it affects the children. ADHD is a neuropsychiatric condition which is characterized by lack of attention or concentration for a long period of time. It is because of this characteristic that the persons suffering from ADHD have difficulty in carrying out their daily life activities. This essay would revolve around the diagnosis of ADHD along with the treatment and other related issues of ADHD (Grosenbach 2000 & Whiteman et al 1995). Historical Context In order to understand the basics of ADHD it is necessary that it is studied in its historical context. ADHD was first discovered in the early eighteenth century by George Still. The name given to the disorder has changed ever since its discovery. George Still conducted a research to find out that 20 children were suffering from the problem of attention deficiency. It was here that he put forward a theory regarding these children that they may be suffering from a genetic problem. George Still named the disorder as the Defect of Moral Thought. Later on these symptoms were seen in other children too and the name was changed to Post Encephalitic Behavior Disorder in 1922. It was in 1937 that Charles Bradley treated the children with attention deficiency by providing them with stimulants. Later on in 1956 the drug Ritalin was used to treat children who were suffering from this problem. In early 1960s the name of the disorder was changed to Minimal Brain Dysfunction. It was in the late 1960s that the word hyperkinetic was associated with the disorder and the name was changed to Hyperkinetic Disorder of Childhood. In 1970s more symptoms were associated with the disorder and this formed a complete spectrum for the disorder. It was in 1980s that the name Adult Deficiency Disorder came into being and was included in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual III of American Psychiatric Association. In 1987 the name was changed to Adult Deficiency Hyperactivity Disorder and the non stimulant drugs to treat this disorder were introduced in 2003 (Fitzgerald et al 2007; Londrie 2006). Diagnosis The diagnosis of ADHD is based on psychiatric assessment along with a discussion with the peers close to the child. Questionnaires are also used to assess the skills of the child on the basis of which he is diagnosed. It is through these methods that the data is collected and then compared to the standards of Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM IV) for North America and with International Statistical Classification of diseases and related health problems (ICD 10) for European countries. The signs and symptoms laid down by ICD and DSM IV are then compared to see if the child is suffering from the problems laid down in it or not (Berger 2008). The sign and symptoms of ADHD are anxiety, irritability, lack of concentration and difficulty in completing organized tasks. The child suffering from ADHD has difficulties in taking his own decision and seeks the help of others in completing the tasks in his life (Whiteman et al 1995; Grosenbach 2000). Bipolar Disorder should be diagnosed properly as at times it gets difficult to differentiate between certain disorders and bipolar disorders. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the disorders which have similar symptoms as Bipolar Disorder. It is necessary for a health practitioner to notice the mood changes in an individual when it comes to the diagnosis of these two disorders. Individuals suffering from ADHD would show chronic states whereas individuals with bipolar disorder would only show episodic changes. Moreover it is also known from different studies that the symptoms of both these disorders are difficult to diagnose in individuals who are in their teenage or in their pre pubertal age. Children who have bipolar disorder usually show lack of sleep, increased happiness and thoughts (Giedd 2000). Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is another disorder which has signs and symptoms similar to ADHD. Individuals suffering from BPD undergo mood changes when under a specific stimulus whereas individuals from ADHD have chronic states of mood changes not requiring any stimulus. The mood changes in children with BPD are high as compared to the ones suffering from ADHD (Quinn 2007). Prevalence The prevalence of ADHD in school children is seen to be high as the diagnostic measures are being enhanced. The National Resource Center stated that around 5-8 percent of children suffer from ADHD and around 2-4 percent of the adults also develop this disorder in their latter life. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that around 8 million children between the age of 3 and 17 were suffering from ADHD. Out of these eight million children around 11% of them were boys and 4.8% were girls. Thus the prevalence of ADHD is common amongst children in comparison to adults (Grosenbach 2000). Treatment The treatment of children with ADHD can be done either through medications or therapies. It is seen that medications have not proved to be an excellent source of recovery for these children (Kassler et al 2008). Ritalin is prescribed to the children suffering from this disorder which has an anti depressant effect. However it is necessary that these children are also prescribed behavioral therapies along with these medications. Social therapies are prescribed to the children so that they can get close to their family members and share their problems with them. These social therapies would help the child to gain self confidence and moral support which can prove to be useful in their daily life (Ackerman et al 2008). It is through these therapies that the behavior of the child is controlled and their span of concentration is increased. Talk Therapy and Cognitive therapies are two other forms of behavioral therapies which help the children to get over the problems that they are facing in life. The talk therapies target the children to talk and encourage them to take part in the activities of life. Cognitive therapies help the children to recognize the problems that they are facing and provide them an opportunity to overcome their weaknesses. Children suffering from ADHD go through a number of problems and these cognitive and behavioral therapies can be of great use to these children. These therapies if given together can help to boost the confidence and morale of the children (Ackermen et al 2008). Discussion The prevalence of ADHD in children is linked to hereditary characteristics. It has been found that a child who has close relatives suffering from ADHD are at a high risk of developing it. As already indicated by the statistics of the Center for Disease Control and prevention boys possess a risk of developing this disorder and they possess a more than two time greater risk of this illness. Damage to the brain through direct brain injury also makes a child more susceptible to have ADHD. Pregnant women, who consume alcohol, smoke and are exposed to other toxins like lead and chemicals that create hindrances in normal brain development may give birth to children possessing very high risks to suffer from this psychiatric condition. Not only this but also children who are exposed to harmful chemicals such as lead are also more vulnerable. This is because these chemicals prevent the normal growth of the brain and also affects the neurotransmitter release. Deficiency of calcium in the child also poses as a risk factor of ADHD and a clear indication can be perceived if the child does not like consuming calcium in his diet. Another factor which makes a child more inclined towards this condition is when he does not receive a proper atmosphere at home that is parents play a key role in decreasing the risk for this disease. Parents who are educated are able to maintain a healthy atmosphere for the child at home and hence these children have low chances of suffering from this neuropsychiatric condition. Another important factor includes the behavior and personality of the child and children who are violent and do not mingle with other people and also have changes in their moods every now and then are also predisposed to have ADHD. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition which affects a person’s day to day life. Proper care and attention is required for these patients and they can be cured with the help of medications and Talk Therapy, and Cognitive therapy (Grosenbach 2000; Whiteman et al 1995; Berger et al 2008). Bibliography Grosenbach, M. (2000). Adult Attention Deficit Disorder: Clinical psychology approach. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 4 (3), 171-173. Top of Form FITZGERALD, M., BELLGROVE, M., & GILL, M. (2007).Handbook of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Chichester, England, John Wiley & Sons. Londrie, K. (2006, June 10). History of ADHD. Retrieved May 17, 2010, from http://ezinearticles.com/?History- of- ADHD&id=217254 Bottom of Form Whiteman, T., Novotni, M., & Petersen, R. (1995). Adult ADD: A reader friendly guide to identifying, understanding, and treating adult attention deficit disorder. Colorado Springs, Colo: Pinon Press. Berger, I., Dor, T., Nevo, Y., & Goldzweig, G. (2008). Attitudes Toward Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Treatment: Parents' and Children's Perspectives. JOURNAL OF CHILD NEUROLOGY. 23 (9), 1036-1042. Neimeyer, R., Kazantzis, N., Kassler, D., Baker, K., & Fletcher, R. (2008). Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Depression Outcomes Predicted by Willingness to Engage in Homework, Compliance with Homework, and Cognitive Restructuring Skill Acquisition. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. 37 (4), 199-215. Zylowska, L., Ackerman, D., Yang, M., Futrell, J., Horton, N., Hale, T., et al. (2008). Mindfulness Meditation Training in Adults and Adolescents With ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders. 11 (6), 737-746. Quinn, B. (2007). Bipolar disorder. The Wiley concise guides to mental health. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons. Top of Form Giedd, J. N. (January 01, 2000). Bipolar disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 61, 31-4. Read More