ADHD Flashcards
Symptoms of ADHD (names)
Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity
Inattention symptoms of ADHD
Does not pay attention
Can’t sustain attention
Doesn’t seem to listen
Avoids sustained effort
Fails to finish tasks
Can’t organise
Loses things
Is forgetful
Easily distracted
Hyperactivity symptoms of ADHD
Fidgets
Leaves seat in class
Runs / climbs excessively
Always “on the go”
Talks excessively
Implusivity symptoms of ADHD
Talks excessively
Blurts out answers
Cannot await turn
Intrudes on others
Interrupts others
Clinical presentations of ADHD
Hyperactive-Impulsive (AD/HD)
Inattentive (ADD)
Combined (ADHD)
How does diagnosis start?
Evidence of symptoms and impairment from parents or caregivers as well as a teacher or school professional
How is ADHD diagnosed?
Rating scales are used in addition to narrative reports and observations, and the collection of a clinical history
For example, Conners’ Rating Scales: Based on DSM-IV criteria and has normative data. Good reliability and validity.
Comorbidity of dyslexia
20-40% of individuals with a diagnosis of either ADHD or dyslexia show significant signs of the other (Wilcutt & Pennington, 2000)
Comorbidity of Bipolar
Some researchers propose that bi-morbid BD and ADHD should form a separate clinical phenotype of BD (e.g. Perugi et al., 2013)
Pliska (1998)
Oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety, and learning disorders are also comorbid
Rapport et al (2007)
Biological and environmental systems cause a poor executive function, which in turn causes the symptoms of ADHD.
Familial transmission of ADHD
Evidence agues for a familial transmission of ADHD
The correlation of symptoms in MZ twins is greater (0.86) than that in DZ twins (0.47)
Heritability estimates range from 0.75 to 0.91
Genetic causes of ADHD
The dopamine D4 (DRD4) and dopamine D5 (DRD5) genes
Debated causes of ADHD
- Birth complications
- Smoking during pregnancy
- Low birth weight
- A dysfunctional family environment
- Food additives, colourings and preservatives
- Television and computer games
What brain area is associated with ADHD?
The frontal lobes
Executive function definition
High level cognitive processes responsible for control and regulation, goal formation, planning, and effective performance
Areas of executive function that are effected by ADHD
- Shifting / cognitive flexibility
- Selective attention
- Planning
- Updating working memory
- Retrieval from long term memory
- Inhibition