Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental disorder with two characteristics. The two characteristics can either occur individually or co-exist. One characteristic is significant problems in the area of attention. The other characteristic is hyperactivity demonstrated by impulsive behaviors.

CAUSES

There are four major factors that are causing the mental disorder of ADHD. They are genes, environmental factors, sicknesses and everyday diets.

The factor that is the hardest to control is the patients’ genes. Genes are what people inherit from their parents and are mostly determined upon birth. If the patient has a family with a history of mental illnesses, it becomes more likely for the patients to have less resistance to ADHD, thereby making it harder for the patient to prevent the development of the illness.

Environmental factors are something that the patients have a certain degree of control. Patients who are exposed to a higher level of environmental toxins have a higher risk of developing ADHD. The environments surrounding the parents during pregnancy are also a major factor that determines the likelihood of the patients contracting the illness.

Other brain sicknesses can also affect the tendencies of the patients being diagnosed with ADHD. Researches have shown that a lot of brain diseases are somewhat linked to each other. Patients with other brain problems should be aware of their dangers of contracting the illness. Regular checkups with your doctors are important for this group of potential patients.

There are contrary theories about whether everyday diets contribute to the development of ADHD. Scientists are speculating that food additives and unhealthy eating habits can cause people to have symptoms of this disorder. But many recent researches have shown that the effects of dieting habits on the development of ADHD are almost negligible.

SYMPTOMS

Inattentive type:

• Troubles with attention to details/ being too careless
• Finding it hard to follow through instructions and inability to finish work or school duties
• Difficulty with organization skills
• Being forgetful about important things/ easily distracted by outside stimuli

Hyperactive/impulsive type:

• Obsessive fidgeting with their bodies
• Difficulties with stopping themselves from talking excessively
• Problems with activities that require people to take turns
• Tendency to interrupt in other people’s conversations

TREATMENTS

The most basic kind of treatment for patients to receive is medications. There are two types of medications for ADHD. They are stimulant and non-stimulant medications. Medications alone cannot cure ADHD completely, but they are great aids for people to reduce their symptoms. Some of the symptoms that medications are able to control are hyperactivity, impulsivity, the loss of the ability to focus, and troubles with physical coordination. Normally, there is a minimum age for patients to be able to take ADHD medications. Currently, children below 3-year-old are not advised to take this group of medications. Also, patients should beware of the harmful side effects of ADHD medications.

Counselling is a supplementary treatment option to treat ADHD patients. Therapists can help patients learn good behavior skills to improve their decision making skills. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a very popular treatment option used by therapists. CBT can help patients understand the underlying problems behind their ADHD symptoms, and consequently act aid the patients to improve their problem-solving and social skills.

Improvements in the patients’ environments are also essential in improving the patients’ recovery rates. At home, helping the patients with their organization skills and engaging in social interactions with the patients can improve the patients’ mental health overall. At school, trying to negotiate with the teachers about your children’ special needs resulting from ADHD is also crucial for receiving appropriate accommodations. Healthy living habits are also something that is very important in supporting the patients in speeding up their recovery. Some habits include a healthy diet, regular physical exercises, and good sleeping habits.

REFERENCES

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention_deficit_hyperactivity_disorder

http://www.cmha.ca/mental-health/understanding-mental-illness/attention-deficit-disorders/

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=adhd

http://keltymentalhealth.ca/mental-health/disorders/attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder