Problem 1 Flashcards
Developmental psychopathology
Refers to the study of childhood disorders
–> understanding the children behaviors cross the line from the normal difficulties of childhood into the abnormal
Predominantly inattentive type
Diagnosed if 6 or more symptoms of inattention, but fewer than 6 symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsitivity type
Diagnosed if 6 or more symptoms of it + less than 6 symptoms of inattention are present
Combined type
Includes 6 or more symptoms of both are present
ADHD behavioral problems, sometimes are severe enough to be diagnosed as a conduct disorder.
What is this ?
Engaging in serious transgressions of societal norms for behavior
–> repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate norms are violated
What are the differences in neurological functioning + cerebral blood flow in children with ADHD ?
- PFC is smaller in volume + shows abnormal activation when children try to inhibit their responses (Immaturity hypothesis)
–> regulates attention, organization planning
- Catecholamine neurotransmitters, which are involved in inhibiting impulses function abnormally
–> include dopamine, serotonine, norepinephrine
- Less connectivity between PFC + emotional, motor + memory areas
Treatments for ADHD
- Stimulant drugs such as Ritalin, Dexedrine etc
- Psychosocial therapy
- Working memory training
What are the advantages of the usage of stimulant drugs ?
- Decreases the demanding, disruptive + noncompliant behavior
- Increases in positive mood, goal directed behavior + interactions with others
–> works by increasing the levels of dopamine + inhibiting its reuptake
Disadvantages of the usage of stimulant drugs ?
- May increase the frequency of tics in children
- Decrease in their growth rate
- Risk of abuse
Epidemiology of ADHD in Childhood
- Mainly diagnosed in elementary school
- Boys are 2x more likely to develop it
- Usually comes along with a severe learning disorder, making it hard to concentrate in school
- Poor relationships with others
PREVALENCE: 5%
What are the 3 possible types of ADHD ?
- Combined type
- Predominantly inattentive type
- Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type
Epidemiology of ADHD in Adulthood ?
- In 50% symptoms persist into young adulthood
- Increased risk for antisocial personality disorder, substance abuse, marital problems, frequent job changes
PREVALENCE: 2.5%
A systematic, computerized WM training was used to assess if it will lessen ADHD symptoms.
What did the results yield ?
- Improved WM performance + increased brain activity in the DLPFC + parietal association cortices
–> indicates plasticity of the neural systems of the WM
- Heightened motivation
- Maintenance of concentration + attention
- Withholding of impulsive + inappropriate behaviors
Delay aversion hypothesis
Behaviors of ADHD children are due to an underlying motivational style rather than the dysfunction of regulatory systems
–> motivated to escape or avoid delay (delay aversion)
Dual pathway model
Suggests that the combined type of ADHD has 2 distinct subtypes with distinct psychological + developmental processes leading to ADHD
–> explains neuropsychological heterogeneity in ADHD