Jul 22 2007
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD often goes undiagnosed because the symptoms are quite common among children; they include inappropriate activity, a low threshold for frustration, inattention, and impulsivity. Most children will exhibit these behaviors from time to time but, a child with ADHD exhibits these behaviors consistently and they interfere with school and home life. Signs can also consist of a pervasive inability to finish tasks, difficulty sitting through an entire television show, excessive talking or interrupting, and fidgeting or squirming. Because these symptoms are so close to normal childhood behavior it is important to remember that only an experienced diagnostician can make the diagnosis following an extensive battery of tests and evaluations. Since there is not one simple test that gives a definite diagnosis of ADHD it is difficult to know the exact number of children who suffer from the disorder but, it is estimated that between 3% and 7% of children have ADHD.
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ADHD is, indeed, a disorder that involves inattention, impulsivity, and excessive motor activity resulting in academic and social problems. Boys are diagnosed three to nine times more often than girls. However, girls with ADHD may be overlooked because their symptoms usually are not as flagrant. Heredity plays a major role in the disorder. ADHD runs in families, and identical twins share it more often than fraternal twins. At the same time, ADHD is associated with environmental factors such as stressful homes and prenatal teratogens. Unfortunately, although ADHD can be treated through stimulant medication, the impact is short-term. Most of the time, ADHD is a life long disorder, with affected individuals at risk for persistent antisocial behavior, depression, and other problems.