ADHD Flashcards
What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is classified as a developmental disorder in the DSM-5
It is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity impulsivity
How many types of ADHD are there and what are they?
There are 3 types of ADHD.
- Inattentive type
- Hyperactive/Impulsive type
-Combined type
What are the diagnostic symptoms of the inattentive type?
-Often distracted
-Has problems staying focused
-Does not seem to listen
-Does not follow through on instructions
-Has problems organizing tasks and work
-Avoids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort
-Often loses things
-Doesn’t pay close attention or makes careless mistakes
-Forgets daily tasks
Need 6/9 symptoms to diagnose
What are the diagnostic symptoms for the hyperactive/impulsive type?
-Fidgets with or taps hands or feet and squirms in seat
-Not able to stay seated
-Runs about or climbs where it is inappropriate
-Unable to play quietly
-Always “on the go”
-Talks too much
-Blurts out an answer
-Interrupts or intrudes on others
-Has difficulty waiting for their turn
Need 6/9 symptoms to diagnose
What are the diagnostic symptoms for the combined type?
6/9 symptoms from inattentive symptoms + 6/9 hyperactive/impulsive symptoms
Where must ADHD appear?
ADHD cannot only appear in 1 place but it has to appear in multiple places
What makes ADHD hard to diagnose?
Signs of the disorder may be minimal or absent when the individual is under close supervision, receiving frequent rewards for good behaviour, in a novel setting, or doing something interesting
What are some problems that may be created by ADHD?
Academic performance tends to suffer and social rejection is common
What is the prevalence of ADHD?
It is approximately 7.2% and male to female ratio is about 3:1, Adult ADHD prevalence is around 2.5%
What is the comorbidity rate of ADHD?
Only 1/3 of children are diagnosed with only ADHD, meaning 2/3 are diagnosed with atleast one other DSM disorder
What makes ADHD one of the most heritable disorders?
The etiology of ADHD has been suggested to be up to 80% genetics.
What is perinatal hypoxia?
A temporary shortage of oxygen around the time of birth, it has been linked to the development of ADHD
What does the “Go, No-Go” task show?
Untreated individuals with ADHD make more errors of commission and errors of omission
What does the Iowa Gambling task show?
Untreated individuals with ADHD are more likely to pick from the ‘risky’ deck
What is the difference in reward influence in children with ADHD vs children without ADHD and what does it point to?
Rewards have less of an influence over the behaviour of children with ADHD, this deficit points to issues with either executive function (frontal lobe) or reward function (mesocorticolimbic dopamine system)
