Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Essay Example

All of the above generates quite a challenge, given that many adult ADHD patients are self-diagnosed when they first seek clinical help. In addition to this physicians, psychiatrists and clinicians are often unfamiliar with the subtleties of adult presentations of a classically childhood disorder. In general sense ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is nothing more than parents or others seeking a medical explanation for behavior they cannot manage to control (Nigel et al, 2001:2.18). This is one of the biggest reason why ADHD is underestimated or a hidden problem in Adults.

Occasionally, we may all have difficulty sitting still, paying attention or controlling impulsive behavior. For some people, the problem is so pervasive and persistent that it interferes with their daily life, including home, academic, social and work settings. Medical science first documented children exhibiting inattentiveness, impulsivity and hyperactivity in 1902. Since that time, the disorder has been given numerous names, including Minimal Brain Dysfunction, Hyper-kinetic Reaction of Childhood, and Attention-Deficit Disorder With or Without Hyperactivity.

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition (DSM-IV from the American Psychiatric Association, 1994) classification system, the disorder has been renamed to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). . Since that time, the disorder has been given numerous names, including Minimal Brain Dysfunction, Hyper-kinetic Reaction of Childhood, and Attention-Deficit Disorder With or Without Hyperactivity. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition (DSM-IV from the American Psychiatric Association, 1994) classification system, the disorder has been renamed to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Here ADHD is described within two clusters of symptoms: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. Each of this two areas, inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity, are composed of nine different symptoms. These symptoms are listed in Attachment II.Beside these symptoms there needs to be clear evidence of significant impairment in the functioning of the person. Problems also have to persist for a minimum of half a year, and the first signs should be ascertained before the age of seven. Finally one must not be able to explain the symptoms by other diagnoses.

Additional impairment has to be present in several situations in the person's life.As people can show symptoms from both areas, three subtypes define ADHD:1. Combined TypeThis is the most common type, and means the person has six or more symptoms in each category2. Predominantly Inattentive TypeThis means the person has six or more inattention symptoms but fewer than six hyperactivity symptoms. 3. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive TypeThis is the least common type and means that the person has six or more hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms but fewer than six inattention symptoms.

OriginIt is generally agreed upon that ADHD develops most common in early youth. There has long been debate over the direction of causation