ADHD Flashcards
Common of adhd
It is more common in boys than in girls. It is usually discovered in early school years when a child begins to have problems paying attention.
Cause of adhd
Most of the evidence points to genetic factors, environmental factors or brain damage. Instead, parents should focus on how best to help their child with ADHD. Research continues in this area and evidence is building on the side of genetic causes rather than elements of the home environment. Certain aspects of the child’s environment may, however, affect symptom severity of ADHD once it is established.
Adhd causative factors
GENES: ADHD has a strong genetic basis in the majority of cases, as a child with ADHD is four times as likely to have had a relative who was also diagnosed with the disorder. Researchers are actively investigating many different genes, particularly those involved with the brain chemical dopamine which is involved with voluntary movement and emotional response. People with ADHD seem to have lower levels of dopamine in the brain.
Nutrition and Food: Certain components of the diet, including food additives and sugar, can have clear effects on behaviour, they may exacerbate ADHD. However, the popular belief that sugar is one of the primary causes of ADHD does not have strong support in the research data. Simply removing sugar from a child’s diet is unlikely to significantly impact their ADHD behaviour. Some studies also suggest that a lack of omega-3 fatty acids is linked to ADHD symptoms. These fats are important for brain development and function, and there is plenty of evidence suggesting that a deficiency may contribute to developmental disorders including ADHD. Fish oil supplements appear to alleviate ADHD symptoms, at least in some children and even boost …their school performance
More adhd causative factors
The Environment: There may be a link between ADHD and maternal smoking. However, women who suffer from ADHD themselves are more likely to smoke, so a genetic explanation cannot be ruled out. Nevertheless, nicotine can cause hypoxia (lack of oxygen) in the utero.
Lead exposure has also been suggested as a contributor to ADHD. Exposure to toxic levels of lead from old paint and plumbing can be a risk.
Brain Injury: This may also be a cause of ADHD in a very small minority of children. This can come about following exposure to toxins or physical injury, either before or after birth. Experts say that head injuries can cause ADHD-like symptoms in previously unaffected people, perhaps because of frontal lobe damage.
Adhd symptoms in children (inattention)
Easily distracted, tends to daydream
Do not follow directions or finish tasks
Do not appear to be listening
Do not pay attention and make careless mistakes
Forget about daily activities, often loses things
Have problems organizing daily tasks
Do not like to do things that require sitting still
Adhd symptoms in children (Hyperactivity)
Often squirm, fidget, or bounce when sitting
Do not stay seated
Have trouble playing quietly
Always moving, eg. Running, climbing
Talks excessively
Always “on the go” as if “driven by a motor”
Adhd symptoms in children (Impulsivity)
Have trouble waiting for their turn
Blurt out answers
Interrupt others
Adhd symptoms in adults
Chronic lateness and forgetfulness
Anxiety, restlessness, Mood swings
Low self-esteem, Chronic boredom, Depression
Problems at work/school
Trouble controlling anger, Impulsiveness
Unorganized, Procrastination, Easily frustrated
Trouble concentrating when reading
Other problems related to adhd (psychologically and socially)
Learning disabilities-About 20-30 percent of children with ADHD also have a learning disability. This is a problem that is unexpected given a child’s general intelligence in preschool. This often appears as a difficulty understanding certain sounds or words and/or difficulty in expressing oneself in words
Tourette syndrome
Occasionally people with ADHD have an inherited neurological disorder called tourette syndrome. Usually appears in childhood and is characterized by multiple physical (motor) tics and at least one vocal (phonic) tic. These nervous tics and repetitive mannerisms may include eye blinks, facial twitches, grimacing, clearing of the throat frequently, snorting, sniffing, or barking out words. These symptoms can be controlled with medication. This syndrome is rare but it common for the afflicted to have ADHD. Both require treatment that may include medication.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
This is defined as ongoing patterns of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behaviour toward authority figures that goes beyond the bounds of normal childhood behaviour. It affect up to 50% of children with ADHD, particularly boys. To meet this diagnosis, the child’s defiance must interfere with their ability to function in school, at home or the community and have been happening for at least six months.
This is defined as ongoing patterns of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behaviour toward authority figures that goes beyond the bounds of normal childhood behaviour. It affect up to 50% of children with ADHD, particularly boys. To meet this diagnosis, the child’s defiance must interfere with their ability to function in school, at home or the community and have been happening for at least six months`
Conductor disorder
This is a more serious pattern of antisocial behaviour which may eventually develop in 20 to 40 percent of children with ADHD. It is defined as a pattern of behaviour in which the rights of others or the social norms are violated. Symptoms include over-aggressive behaviour, bullying, physical aggression, cruel behaviour toward people and pets, destruction of property, lying, truancy, vandalism and stealing.
These children are at high risk of getting into trouble at school, or with the police. They are also at high risk for experimenting with drugs, and later dependence and abuse. They need immediate help, otherwise the conduct disorder may develop into antisocial personality disorder.
Anxiety and Depression
Children with ADHD can also struggle with anxiety and/or depression. Treatment for these problems can help the child to handle their ADHD more effectively. This works the other way too – effective treatment of ADHD can reduce the child’s anxiety or depression through improved confidence and ability to concentrate . Some of these symptoms are common to both ADHD and bipolar disorder and is often difficult to differentiate between the two.
Treatment for ADHD
medications and psychotherapy interventions for both child and the parents; or the adult with ADHD. A great deal of research has demonstrated that medication alone won’t really help address the many core issues faced by a child or adult with ADHD. While medication may help with some immediate relief from some symptoms, the individual still often needed to learn necessary skills for successful living.
The specific class of medication most commonly prescribed is stimulants. These stimulant medications, like Ritalin (methylphenidate) or Adderall (an amphetamine), are commonly prescribed, well tolerated, act quickly (soon after being taken), and in most people, have few side effects. These medications also have a robust research base supporting their effectiveness.
How ADHD children respond to ADHD
Children vary greatly in their response to medication. Finding the combination with the highest efficacy and fewest side-effects is a challenge in every case. The doctor will aim to discover the medication and dose that’s best for the child. If one does not appear to be working after a few weeks of treatment, another medication would be tried. This is normal and most people will switch medication to find the one that works best for them.
