Effects of ADHD Across Childhood, Adolescence, and Adulthood - Research Paper Example

 Effects of ADHD Across Childhood, Adolescence, and Adulthood Abstract Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), if symptoms overlooked in the children by the paediatricians, parents and teachers would become an everlasting inherent problem in the lives of those effected children. If recognized and anticipated at particular age level, could be minimized by proper treatment, practice and attention. Specially, ADHD in adults is an underestimated; to some extent even ‘hidden’ problem. More commonly ADHD affected adults are viewed as “lazy” or “unmotivated” by other people in their lives. Further more the symptoms are often obscured by problems with relationships, organization, mood disorders, substance abuse, employment or other psychological difficulties. In addition to this physicians, psychiatrists and clinicians are often unfamiliar with the subtleties of adult presentations of a classically childhood disorder. It is difficult to describe the characteristics of children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as the attributes are not unusual, but many of the symptoms are present in all children and adults to some degree at some particular time. What characterizes ADHD in children is the intensity, the persistence, and the patterning of these symptoms. If we talk about the disorders the most prevalent are the learning disorders, associated with the areas of reading, spelling, or math. Studies have shown that somewhere between 20 to 30 percent of ADHD children have learning disorders. Among the psychological disorders are those classified as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD). Studies performed in clinics (where children are often referred by schools and social agencies) indicate that about 35 percent of ADHD children have ODD, and more than 25 percent have CD. Clinics are more likely to see severe cases of ADHD, however. One characteristic of the ADHD child that is always present is easy distractibility or shortness of attention span. This difficulty is not as obvious as hyperactivity but is of greater practical importance. The ADHD child does not possess the concentration capability. Young children, in comparison to adults, are relatively lacking in the ability to concentrate and follow through on long and tedious tasks. It is important to note that distractibility need not be present at all times. Often when the child receives individual attention he can attend well for a while. The teacher may report that he ‘does well with one-to-one attention.’ (Wender, 2000, p. 41) A psychologist may note that the child can pay attention during testing. A pediatrician may observe that the child was not inattentive during the brief office examination. Many ADHD children can listen attentively for at least a little while. If the examiner, child psychiatrist, paediatrician, or psychologist does not realize the potential variability of such behavior, he or she may incorrectly come to the conclusion that the child is perfectly fine and that the parents and teacher are overreacting. In some ADHD children, the distractibility may be concealed by the ability to stick with a particular activity for an unusually long period of time. Usually it is an activity they choose themselves. Sometimes it is a socially useful one (e.g., reading), and sometimes it is not. The child may seem to “lock on” and be undetachable or unusually persistent. The activity may be performed repetitiously for a long period of time. Such paradoxical behavior in an ostensibly distractible child may confuse a parent, who will ask, “How can he be distractible when he plays with his computer games for hours on end?” The highly unsatisfactory answer must be: “We do not know, but this is indeed the case.” In many ADHD children some of the more troublesome symptoms gradually diminish and finally disappear around the time of puberty; in some children such improvements may occur earlier and in some later. However, recent studies indicate that 70 to 80 percent of ADHD children will not outgrow their symptoms in adolescence and will have continuing problems in school, with their families, and with their peers. In all ADHD children some symptoms change and disappear. The ADHD child may wet his bed longer than the child without ADHD, but he does not wet his bed forever. Similarly, restlessness and fidgetiness may diminish with age. However and this is extremely important even though these symptoms may vanish, other ADHD symptoms may persist. Difficulty in concentrating, lack of stick-to-intervenes, and impulsivity may remain. Obvious hyperactivity may have disappeared whereas many of the other problems lingered for several years. Many adults continue to have ADHD-related problems. The practical consequence is that treatment, when effective, may need to be continued for several years after the most obvious and distressing symptoms have vanished. (Wender, 2000, p. 37) Since ADHD clearly runs in families, the parents of the children and adolescents discussed are more likely to have had ADHD in childhood and adulthood than people in general. Children are generally unable to articulate or describe their inner life. But many adults can provide us with a detailed account of the emotional and intellectual response that an ADHD adult experiences. ADHD in adolescence is observed by a reduction in the overactivity that is often striking in younger children, but inattention, impulsiveness, and inner restlessness remain major difficulties in adolescents. A distorted sense of self and a disruption of the normal development of self has been reported by adolescents with ADHD. (Krueger, 2001) Such disordered children are seemed to be more tended towards social aggressiveness and are more likely to develop rage and anger than children and adults. Most adults who experience significant problems in one or more areas of living show some of the most common problems such as inconsistent performance in jobs or careers, losing or quitting jobs frequently, a history of academic and/or career underachievement (Brown, 2000). The 10 symptoms, which have negative effect on the life of the ADHD adults are: Poor organization, poor concentration, tendency to leave work incomplete, less-attentive, time management problems, difficulty in controlling temper, rash, nervousness and a feel difficulties to function at work. ADHD in adults is sometimes even viewed as a “hidden disorder” because the symptoms are often obscured by problems with relationships, organization, mood disorders, substance abuse, employment or other psychological difficulties. Others recognize that they may have ADHD, only after their child is diagnosed. In addition, research has identified an increased risk of poor medical health (Barkley, 1996), serious motor vehicle crashes (Murphy & Barkley, 1996) and clinical experiences suggest that adults with ADHD are attracted to occupations that are exciting and busy and having an element of risk (e.g., sales, stock broking, entrepreneurial ventures) and engage in leisure activities that are highly absorbing or stimulating (e.g., downhill skiing, high-contact sports, surfing the Internet). Furthermore it interferes with organizing their homes and managing their children (Weiss et al, 1999). Finally, it should be noted that many adults with ADHD feel deeply frustrated and embarrassed by the ongoing problems caused by their ADHD. This potential negative effects point to the impotents of a good diagnostic process to identify ADHD in adults. In addition to the core symptoms of ADHD as mentioned in the DSM-IV the following associated problems and consequences that often co-exist with adult ADHD are mentioned: Problems with self-control and regulating behavior Poor working memory Poor persistence of efforts toward tasks Difficulties with regulation of emotions, motivation and arousal Greater than normal variability in task or work performance Chronic lateness and poor time perception Easily bored Low self-esteem Anxiety Depression Mood swings Employment difficulties Relationship problems Substance abuse Risk-taking behaviors Poor time management As many as 60% of individuals with ADHD symptoms in childhood continue to have difficulties in adult life. (Weiss, 1999) Adults with ADHD are more likely to be dismissed from employment and have often tried a number of jobs before being able to find one at which they can succeed. (Manuzza et al) Adults with ADHD may need to choose specific types of work and are frequently self-employed. In the workplace, adults with ADHD experience more interpersonal difficulties with employers and colleagues. Further problems are caused by lateness, absenteeism, excessive errors, and an inability to accomplish expected workloads. At home, relationship difficulties and break-ups are more common. The risk of drug and substance abuse is significantly increased in adults with persisting ADHD symptoms who have not been receiving medication. (Biederman et al) References & Bibliography Barkley R, Murphy K, Kwasnik D. Psychological adjustment and adaptive impairments in young adults with ADHD. Journal of Attention Disordisorder. 1996a;1:41-54. Biederman J, Wilens TE, Mick E, et al. Does attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder impact the development course of drug and alcohol abuse and dependence? Biol Psychiatry 1998;44: 269–73 Brown TE. Attention-deficit disorders and comorbidities in children, adolescents and adults. Washington: American Psychiatric Press; 2000. Harpin V, A. (2005) The effect of ADHD on the life of an individual, their family, and community from preschool and adult life. In BMJ Journals. Krueger M, Kendall J. Descriptions of self: an exploratory study of adolescents with ADHD. J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Nurs 2001;14:61–72. Mannuzza S, Klein RG, Bessler A, et al. Adult outcome of hyperactive boys. Educational achievement, occupational rank and psychiatric status. Arch Gen Psychiatry 993;50 Murphy, K. R., & Barkley, R.A. (1996a) The prevalence of DSM-IV symptoms of ADHD in adult licensed drivers: Implications for clinical diagnosis. Journal of attention Disorder, 1:147-161. Wender H, Paul. (2000) ADHD: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adults: Oxford University Press: Oxford. Weiss M, Hechtman L, Weiss G. ADHD in Adulthood A guide to current theory, diagnosis and treatment. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999. Weiss M, Trokenberg-Hechtman L, Weiss G. (1999) ADHD in adulthood: a guide to current theory, diagnosis, and treatment. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. Read More