Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Children - Assignment Example

Assignment 4 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral disorder among children. In the past decade the prevalence of ADHD has increased worldwide. In the United States, the prevalence is said to be higher than that of other countries. 1 in every 20 children in the country is said to be suffering from ADHD. Notably, it has been argued that the preponderance of research in US into this behavioural disorder in the last 4 decades has brought the impression that the disorder is largely prevalence in the country than in any other country. For instance, a study done in both England and North America pointed out that there was a high prevalence in North America as compared to England (Passmore 29). The underlying factors leading to this phenomenon is mainly argued from cultural and social setups. Indeed, from their study (Pires et al. 43), various factors such as low social class, a large family, foster care replacement, maternal mental disorder and paternal criminality led to the development of the disorder. In the US more than 60,000 children are reported as neglected and abused weekly, and each year about 500,000 children end up living in foster care; however, in recent times more than 0.8 million children go through or come into contact with foster care (Pires et al. 43). Indeed, with this in mind, it is quite obvious that children who face such problems are exposed to acquiring the disorder as compared to those who are under their parental care. This is attributed to the understanding that the care system is perceived to be a big mess as there is no provision of family support, prevention and proper treatment of illness. Such children acquire antisocial and aggressive behaviours which are symptoms of ADHD. Another underlying that has been supported by various researchers is related to dysfunctional or chaotic family life; under this, it has been reported that children who are brought up in families that are characterised with violence tend to have aggressive behaviour which in most cases may be said to lead to ADHD. In the past years, smoking and alcohol drinking among pregnant women has been on the rise in America; as such, playing a role in a high prevalence of ADHD in the country. Lead, a poisonous toxins found in cigarettes highly contribute to the development of hyperactivity of the child given the fact that it affect the brains of the unborn child (Passmore 33). Notably, various research carried out have clearly showed that smoking during pregnancy increase the chances of having the symptoms of the presented disorder. Specifically, smoking during pregnancy leads to hypoxia, a pathological condition where tissues lack oxygen eventually leading to ADHD; as it is hypothetically believed that hypoxia is linked to ADHD (Passmore 34). Alcohol consumption, on the other hand, has indeed caught the attention of researchers. This is attributed to the proven fact that it causes birth defects and it is highly linked to the development of ADHD. It has been proven that alcohol increases the chance of an unborn child of developing ADHD 3 times than those who do not take alcohol (Passmore 35). This is true as alcohol brings about structural and behavioural changes in the developing baby. Furthermore, it may result to malformation of the frontal lobe of the child; consequently affecting the development of the nervous system. Indeed, the above combination offers a probable link to ADHD. One researcher found out that pregnant mother who took alcohol when pregnant gave birth to children who had symptoms of ADHD including learning difficulties, impulsive behaviour, decreased span of attention and hyperactivity. Alcohol and cigarettes are not the only drugs linked to ADHD; others such as marijuana which is accepted in some communities increases the chances of children being born with ADHD (Passmore 35). Importantly, most Americans consider themselves to be in the low class socially. This is mainly contributed to the rise of Hispanics and Black American in this class. This indeed has led to hard lives and experiencing stress moments as compared to the middle and high class. With this, less social support is reported in this class a major issue linked to ADHD According to a study carried out by (Mash and Russell 78)less social support contributed to rise of ADHD among children. Furthermore, the study argued that children who were experiencing stressful life showed ADHD symptoms. In addition, due to hard living, ADHD among children is also related to their mother having stress and conflict while they were pregnant (Mash and Russell 78). Indeed, the millennial is the most stressed generation as per recent studies. In fact most articles refer to them as the generation stress. Millennial as per the current definition are people who are aged 18 to 33. According to report released by the American Psychological Association, the stress level of this generation is about 5.4 out of 10 which is quite alarming given the fact that stress in the last one year is said to be declining in the country (Castillo 1). Importantly, stress faced by this generation is increasingly resulting to various aggressive behaviours. In addition, it is also resulting to anxiety and depression which they are unlikely to control or prevent. There are various conditions that are causing these stress; and the conditions are not likely to go away any soon. More importantly, the fact that this generation is growing up at a tough time and earlier on they were raised and sheltered with high level of expectations for what they were expected to achieve. Money is one of the underlying causes of stress in this generation. This generation is mainly relying on the older generation to provide money for their daily. This becomes worse in cases where the people they rely on are not able to provide their basics. Importantly, most students are said to lack enough money to further their studies. Notably, expenses related to education have gone high including student debt, worsening the situation. Indeed, the economy collapsed when most of them got out of colleges and schools and as such, they were unable to pick up financially resulting to stress. To meet their financial need, the generation is having more than two jobs so as to ensure that they are able to meet their daily needs and meet other expectations that are seen to be important in this generation. Unemployment is also an underlying cause of stress in this generation. Indeed, in the last decade, unemployment rate has been high despite the growing economy. It has been noted with great concern that their unemployment rate is at about 13 per cent compared to that of the whole nation which stand at 7.8 per cent (Castillo 1). Despite the fact that more courses are being added in colleges and universities so as to accommodate more students and diverse career choice, it has not proven to be a solution so far in reducing stress related to unemployment in this generation. Similarly, job instability has also been a cause for stress in the generation. Notably, economic instability has played a major role in ensuring that jobs are not stable; contributing to more stress for the millennial. Furthermore, in some cases stress at the workplace has also been high given the fact that the employers expects lots of input from the employees; indeed this becomes worse in cases where the employees has more than one job. Relationships are also another cause of stress among the young people; however, this is not profound as seen in the other discussed causes. Most of the millenials are simply stressed due to poor relationship with the peer, family and their colleagues in the workplace (Castillo 1). Work cited Castillo, Michelle. Millennials are the most stresses generation. CBS 11 February 2013: 1. Mash, Eric and B Russell. Child psychopathology . New York: Guilford Press, 2009. Passmore, Stuart. The ADHD handbook. New York: Exisle Publishing, 2004. Pires, Thiago, Cosme Marcelo and Simone Goncalves. Associatioon between family environment and attention deficit hypeeractivity disorder in children-mother' and teachers' views. BMC Pychiatry (2013): 13:215. Read More