Julia Bravo Period 1 4/19/12 psychology

Adhd Disorder  Definition  ADHD= is a behavior disorder of childhood involving problems with inattentiveness, hyperactivity, & impulsivity  What is the disorder? Its define by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) (2000), as a syndrome of attention and behavior disturbances. It is classified as a neurobiological disorder and is characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that cause a range of behavior and learning problems.

Associated Features  ADHD falls into theses 3 categories. 1. Lack of attention (inattentiveness) 2. Hyperactivity 3. Impulsive behavior (impulsivity)  Some children with ADHD mostly they have the inattentive type.

Associated Features  Hyperactivity 1. They are always on the go 2. Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat 3. Leaves seat when they are suppose to remain seating 4. Climbs in inappropriate situations 5. Has difficulty playing quietly 6. Often difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activates quietly  Impulsivity 1. Blurts out answers before questions have been said 2. Impatiens 3. Interrupts 4. There must be clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in social, academic, of occupational functioning 5. The symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of a pervasive developmental disorder, Schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorder, Anxiety disorder, Dissociative disorder, or Personality

Associated Features  Inattentive 1. Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly 2. Difficulty 3. Careless mistakes in schoolwork 4. Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the work place 5. Fails to finish any task that they are assign to do 6. Often they lose things/objects 7. Easily distracted 8. Avoids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork)

Associated Features signs 1. A child should have at least shown more the ones the same symptoms before the age 2. the symptoms must be severe enough to cause difficulties in many setting 3. In older children, ADHD is in partial remission when they still have symptoms but no longer meet the full definition of the disorder. 4. Psychological evaluation of the child AND family 5. Complete developmental, mental, nutritional, physical, and psychosocial examination

Etiology  ADHD has a strong genetic component Found in families and in twin studies  Neurological deficit underlying ADHD Such as; birth complications, acquired brain damage, expose to toxic substances, and infectious diseases  Social cultural also plays a role  Biological and psychological factors (Biological) nonverbal working memory, the internalization of self- directed speech, the self-regulation of mood, motivation & level of arousal, reconstitution-the ability to break down observed behaviors  Western contrives  Environmental factors

Prevalence  It affects about 3 - 5% of school aged children  Boys are diagnosed with adhd 4 to 5 times more than girls  More males then females, 3;1.

Treatment  Uses of drug medications such as Ritalin, Cylert, and Dexedrine  These medication alone are not a cure  Childs behavioral therapy  Elimination of sugar, artificial colors and flavoring, and any other foods that may contain a component to improve a child's behavior

Treatment Effects  Many medications can caused side effects In children, including a loss of appetite, slowing of growth, sleeplessness, listlessness, depression, suicide, and stupor- like state  Some can also caused automatic death to children with heart problems  Adults treated with Ritalin run the additional risk of becoming addicted with drugs.

Prognosis ADHD is a long-term, chronic condition. If it is not treated appropriately, ADHD may lead to:  Drug and alcohol abuse  Failure in school or actives  Problems keeping a job of any such length About half of children with ADHD will continue to have troublesome symptoms of inattention or impulsivity as adults. However, adults are often more capable of controlling there behavior  they might also ended up developing other psychological disorder overtime, like mood and anxiety disorders.

References  Textbook Halgin,R.P &Whitbourne, S.K.(2005). Abnormal psychology clinica perspectives on psychological disorder. New York, NY: McGraw- Hill.  DSM- IV- TR American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Disorder, Fourth Edition,Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association,200  Understanding your health Wayne. A. P.& Dale. B.H. & Ellen. B.L. (n.d).Understanding your health.New York. NY; McGraw-Hill.  A.DAM Medical Encyclopedia,(n.d). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) /

Discussion Question  How can we prevent a child's disorders before it gets worse?