Psychology 1100 Pamela Lemons

Kenneth Robbins Melissa Wells Richard Fisher Sheena Christison Sierra Kartchner

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): a psychiatric disorder or neurobehavioral disorder characterized by significant difficulties either of inattention and/or hyperactivity an impulsiveness.

Predominantly inattentive (ADHD-PI or ADHD-I) Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive (ADHD-HI or ADHD-H) The two combined (ADHD-C),

Sir Alexander Crichton M.D.,( 1763-1856) was the first person to document a disorder similar to ADHD in 1798.
Franz Kramer and Hans Pollnow diagnosed children with the term "Hyperkinetic Disease" in 1932. Symptoms included restlessness and remarkable motor activity.

In 1980 the disorder was relabeled to attention deficit disorder (ADD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
IN 1987 ADD was renamed ADHD to recognize the hyperactivity element of the disorder.

ADHD affects 3% to 7% of the American population. Males are twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD as females. Children as well as adults are affected by ADHD.

It is believed to more genetic than anything else, but some environmental factors may play a role in developing ADHD. ADHD is often seen within the same families indicating it to be hereditary.
Smoking cigarettes, consuming alcohol during pregnancy and exposure to high levels of lead have shown to be related to cases of ADHD in children.

Hyperactivity
Inability to hold attention Impulsive behaviors at times

Restlessness
Outbursts / Overexcited

There is no known cure for ADHD, only medication helps to manage the side effects of the disorder. Typically, stimulant medications are used to manage symptoms of ADHD.
Stimulants increase the amount of dopamine levels in the brain which can help boost concentration levels and focus, while reducing hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

Common stimulant medications for ADHD are:

Adderall Concerta

Ritalin
Focalin

By locating the genes that cause the disorder, scientist may one day be able to prevent and better treat ADHD.
For pregnant mothers, playing it safe and staying away from any drugs, alcohol and lead exposure is best.

Lawrence Robinson, M. S. (n.d.). www.helpguide.com. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_medications.htm

National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health And Human Services. NIH Publication No. 12-3572. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder/index.shtml W. Lange, The history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. 2010, pg.8 Alexander Crichton, 2008 reprint, Chp. 1, pg. 203. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention_deficit_hyperactivity_disorder , 2013 Carroll, Lisa. 1 in 10 US kids has ADHD, Study Finds. Msnbc. 18 Aug 2011. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/44190936/ns/health-childrens_health/t/us-kids-hasadhd-studyfinds/