What Challenges Do Children and Teens Face Today with ADHD - Coursework Example

What challenges do children and teens face today with ADHD? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder which has long been identified amongst children, but the persistence of the disorder has also been identified in adulthood. ADHD in teens and children is often manifested in the form of numerous problems which are related with the functional problems that can give rise to different types of difficulties for managing the daily life. These people who have ADHD also faces the risk of being misdiagnosed due to the similarity in their because symptoms which mimic the symptoms of other related disorders, particularly of depression, anxiety, sleep related problems, marital discomforts etc. Additionally, people suffering from ADHD can also suffer from additional co-morbid disorders particularly depression. Teenagers suffering from ADHD can show multiple behavioral problems, academic problems as well as interpersonal problems that often get wrongly identified as the children and the teens to have “outgrown” (Resnick, 2005, p.530). ADHD is clinically considered as a disorder that a person is born with. The symptoms for small children are usually neglected or misdiagnosed. Additionally, the teen girls who exhibit ADHD are more prone to worsening symptoms arising out of hormonal changes during puberty and can have increased risks for any unplanned or unwanted pregnancies (Resnick, 2005, p.531) different factors like parenting, family culture, socioeconomic background, school environment, and ethnicity can contribute in the variability threshold in their respective tolerance level of ADHD (Resnick, 2005, p.531). The diagnosis for ADHD in young adults as well as in children can be shown to be of three types: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder primarily hyperactive-impulsive type, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder primarily inattentive type and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, combined type (Resnick, 2005, p.532). Treatments Treatments in the form of medications are often used in young adults but the rate of response is slower and less robust in comparison to that of the similar ADHD children. Stimulants were the drugs of choice that have been prescribed for a long time and shall continue as the most widely used medicines. Antidepressant medication is the second-tier medication that is prescribed for ADHD for the teens and adults and can be used also in case of co-findings for depression cases or anhedonia. Prescribing medicines for women diagnosed with ADHD is often risky because of their reproductive issues (Resnick, 2005, p.531). Challenges faced by the children and teens of ADHD ADHD children and young adults are seen to be emotional and exhibit behavioral as well as interpersonal problems while at home, at their school or at work. These people have a socially low limit for tolerance and acceptance that is demonstrated because of the difficulties they face in social interactions or in developing interpersonal relationships. Thus, these individuals are often lonely and form negative reputations which elevate their social isolation (Litner, 2003, p.139). Additionally, it has been estimated by surveys that around 35% to 50% of ADHD people have specific learning disabilities or ‘LD’. Maximum around 90% of the ADHD children do not perform well in schools and 30%C of the teenagers drop out before completing their high schools (Litner, 2003, p.140). They have higher levels of problems in their relationships and get into conflicts with their family members often. Apart from this, girls suffering from ADHD are found to suffer from serious forms of complications because of the disorder. It becomes seven more difficult to diagnose because ADHD symptoms in girls is different from that of the boys. Girls suffering from ADHD have greater intellectual impairments than the boys (Mash & Barkley, 2009, p.68). The symptoms of ADHD exhibited by boys are much lesser in comparison to the boys. Thus, there is greater negligence in their diagnosis and treatments. Also masking of the actual symptoms of ADHD by comorbidities of depression, aggression etc in girls makes it more difficult to identify the problem (Mash & Barkley, 2009, p.69). Statistical estimates of ADHD individuals (children and teens) in USA (overall), Nevada, and southern Nevada According to the Data from the National Health Interview Survey for 1998–2009, there has been an increase of 2% i.e. 7% to 9% in the percentage of children to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from 2007–2009 (NCHS Data Brief, 2011). For the children aged between 5 to 17 years, the average increase in ADHD as in 1998-2000 was 9%. This was found to be more in case of the boys from 9.9% to 12.3% than the girls from 3.6% to 5.5% (NCHS Data Brief, 2011). The occurrence of ADHD cases in Nevada was 5.6% compared to 15.6% as in North California (Data & Statistics, 2011). 3 period all male female Percent standard error 1998-2000 6.9 (0.2) 9.9 (0.3) 3.6 (0.2) 2001- 2003 7.5(0.2) 10.7(0.3) 4.1(0.2) 2004-2006 8.1(0.2) 11.4(0.4) 4.6(0.2) 2007-2009 9.0(0.2) 12.3(0.4) 5.5(0.3) (Source: NCHS Data Brief, 2011) Data table for Figure 1. Percentage (standard error) of children aged 5–17 years ever diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, by sex: United States, 1998–2009 (NCHS Data Brief, 2011) In a separate survey conducted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA it was found that as in 2010, the statistics for the ADHD cases in the teens and children in the age group 5-17 years in USA was as follows: 1. 5 million of the children which constituted 9% in this age group were diagnosed with ADHD. 2. Boys about 12% continued to be more affected with the syndrome than girls 5%. 3. The children with poor or weak health condition than the healthy counterparts were more likely to suffer from ADHD i.e. 8% vs 21% (Statistical Prevalence, 2003). A state wise percentage data for the ADHD cases in USA for children between 4-17 years as in 2007 is given below: State diagnosed State diagnosed State diagnosed Alabama 14.3 Louisiana 14.2 Oklahoma 11 Alaska 9.2 Maine 9.6 Oregon 8.8 Arkansas 13.1 Maryland 11.9 Pennsylvania 10.2 Arizona 7.6 Massachusetts 9.8 Rhode Island 11.1 California 6.2 Michigan 9.9 South Carolina 12 Colorado 7.6 Minnesota 7.8 South Dakota 8.1 Connecticut 7.8 Mississippi 9.9 Tennessee 11.3 Delaware 14.1 Missouri 10.8 Texas 7.7 District of Columbia 7.7 Montana 8.5 Utah 6.7 Florida 11.6 Nebraska 9 Vermont 9.9 Georgia 9.2 Nevada 5.6 Virginia 10.2 Hawaii 6.3 New Hampshire 8.5 Washington 9.5 Idaho 8.3 New Jersey 9 West Virginia 13.3 Illinois 6.2 New Mexico 7.1 Wisconsin 9.9 Indiana 13.2 New York 9.2 Wyoming 9.1 Iowa 9.7 North Carolina 15.6     Kansas 10 North Dakota 10     Kentucky 12.4 Ohio 13.3     Source: State-based Prevalence Data of ADHD Diagnosis, 2011 In the St. Rose hospital, Southern Nevada, it was found that there were almost 47% to 50% of ADHD patients out of the total ADD patients found in the county (Community Health and Needs Assessment, 2010, p. 43). ADHD affecting a child’s psychological growth ADHD affects the psychological growth in children and teenagers. The children affected by the condition face difficulties in socializing with their counterparts at schools, workplace and even homes. They generally find it difficult to intermix with their peers. Low concentration, learning difficulties, poor interaction skills can make an ADHD child more psychologically stunted. These children can also suffer from poor sleep patterns which worsens their daytime behaviors too. In case of ADHD adolescents, aggressive behavior and antisocial habits may be observed (Harpin, 2012, p.3). ADHJD can also affect the self esteem in the child or the teenager. They might perceive themselves to be socially backward and ignorant. They find it difficult to think anything good about their own selves (Steer, 1998). Impact of culture in the growth of these children In the modern Western society there are many factors that can adversely influence the mental health condition of children together with their families. These can be in the form of loss in extended family support, reprimanding by the mothers, here the mothers are generally the ones who are seen to take the responsibility of their children, increasing pressure in schools, a degradation in the moral responsibility of parents, the pressure of performing according to discipline, busy family life and a hyperactive market driven economy system which stresses on individuality, fierce competitiveness and extreme independence. Culture also affects the children and teenagers affected with ADHD. People in USA come from different ethnic back grounds. Based on a research it was found that African American and Hispanic origin children were more affected in getting the proper treatments in ADHD than the other group of children. There were many problems that were faced by the parents of these children in getting proper treatments. These barriers included: The parents feared their children of getting "labeled" with ADHD The parents feared that the treatment would be biased based on the race or ethnicity of the child. There was also lack of knowledge regarding ADHD and its available services The parents were worried of their children of being misdiagnosed There were many language barriers (Mattew, 2012). Lack of cultural awareness in these children and their families further worsens the situation. According to statistical data available for the year 1998-2009 for the children aged between 5-17 years it was found that: ADHD prevalence had increased from 1998–2000 to 2007–2009 for the non-Hispanic white children ranging from 8.2% to 10.6% and for the non-Hispanic black children, it ranged from 5.1% to 9.5% (NCHS Data Brief, 2011). In 1998–2000, the non-Hispanic white children were more prone to ADHD compared to the children from all other races with the Mexican children having the lowest risk rate (NCHS Data Brief, 2011). In between 2007–2009, ADHD occurrence was observed to be similar among the non-Hispanic white, the non-Hispanic black, and the Puerto Rican children. ADHD was found to be lower in the Mexican children in comparison to the children from the other ethnic or racial groups (NCHS Data Brief, 2011). These factors along with the symptoms of the problem can shape the capabilities of the child in dealing with the condition. Conclusion ADHD affects the mental capability of a child. It occurs not only in the young children but in adolescents too. Boys are found to be more at risk than the girls but at the same time, girls are deprived from timely treatment because of a miscommunication in their diagnosis. The symptoms of the medical condition differ in boys and girls. There are many factors that can shape the behavior of these individuals. Culture plays a crucial role here as cultural disparity can increase the complexity of the problem by making the child more socially withdrawn. Thus, it becomes the duty of the families and close ones to help these children cope up with the condition. They need to handle gently the aggressive behavior that might be displayed by these children. References Community Health and Needs Assessment, (2010), retrieved on: September 19, 2012, from: http://www.strosehospitals.org/stellent/groups/public/@xinternet_con_srd/documents/webcontent/ 17879.pdf Data & Statistics, (2011), retrieved on: September 17, 2012, from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html Harpin, V., A. (2012), The effect of ADHD on the life of an individual, their family, and community from preschool to adult life, retrieved on: September 17, 2012, from: http://adc.bmj.com/content/90/suppl_1/i2.full Litner, Bluma. (2003).Child & Youth Care Forum, 32(3), 137-158 Mash, E., J. & Barkley, R., A. (2009). Assessment of Childhood Disorders, Fourth Edition Mathew, M. (2012), Do race and ethnicity make a difference?, retrieved on: September 17, 2012 from: http://www.insideadhd.org/Article.aspx?id=258 NCHS Data Brief, (2011), retrieved on: September 17, 2012, from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db70.htm Resnick, R. (2005). Journal of Clinical Psychology, 61(5), p529-533 State-based Prevalence Data of ADHD Diagnosis, (2011), retrieved on: September 17, 2012, from:http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/prevalence.html Statistical Prevalence,( 2003), retrieved on: September 17, 2012, from: http://www.help4adhd.org/privacy.cfm?varLang=en Steer, C. (1998), Self-esteem and ADHD, from: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/adhd/selfesteem.htm Read More