Important Information About and Criteria for ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a serious medical problem that affects people's ability to concentrate and learn for a long time, but unfortunately, there are still people who underestimate the importance of the phenomenon and don’t know how to recognize it. First of all, it’s important to know that in a person without ADHD, the hormone dopamine is normally released between cells in the brain, making for the process where one can focus on something which occurs thanks to a hormonal balance in the mechanism that prevents dopamine from releasing uncontrollably.

In people with ADHD, this mechanism is "too effective" and keeps all dopamine in the cells, creating a condition in which this essential hormone does not pass between the cells, and the person has a short thread of thought preventing him or her from focusing on something for a long time. This focus is a bit different when it comes to computer or television time because these devices provide a high level of stimulation, and therefore release addictive substances that "suck in" the viewer.

The failure to release dopamine creates a chain reaction that affects about 15 other chemical substances in the brain, including adrenaline. While dopamine passes properly between cells, as is the case with those who do not suffer from the phenomenon, adrenaline is released in the brain. Therefore, those with ADHD - whose dopamine transition does not function properly - have a constant deficiency of this hormone. Because of this, they function best under stress: getting a paper done close to when its due or studying for an important test the night before - because it is this feeling of stress that releases the adrenaline in their brain, and then dopamine starts to move slightly better between cells, to the point where they can concentrate almost as well as anyone who doesn’t have the disorder.

A person with ADHD is born this way, and therefore, aren’t familiar with an existence of mental quiet and being able to focus. The main concern for a person suffering from this disorder is the personal experience of difficulty in general, not necessarily in terms of education or work. Often, people with attention disorders are intelligent and therefore succeed in school, however, their life experience can be challenging: they live in a world full of stimuli that they can’t filter, it is hard for them to sleep at night and get up in the morning, and dealing with anything that requires organization or adaptation to changes is not a simple feat for them.

Proper treatment of people with attention deficit disorders involves a medicinal solution along with cognitive behavioral training. Ritalin, the substance that is known as a treatment for those with ADHD, causes the mechanism that hoards dopamine in the cells to stop working for a few hours, but it is effective for only 85% of those who suffer from this disorder. The remaining 15% are slightly different and Ritalin cannot prevent dopamine from remaining in the cells. For these people, special drugs have been developed which are less common but can still be obtained through appropriate treatment authorities.

Characteristics of people with ADHD

All of the following criteria are related to regulatory mechanisms, which improve slightly as age increases, but they do not always function the right way in people with ADHD.

1. Unregulated circadian clock - The sleep and awake cycles of those with ADHD are delayed, and they are unable to go to bed early or get up early. For them, falling asleep at a reasonable hour is similar to going to bed at 5 pm for a person who does not have the disorder. In addition, in the morning it takes them a long time to recover and they often wake up without appetite.

2. Uncontrolled hunger and satiety - Children who suffer from ADHD don’t feel hungry most of the time and therefore don’t eat, or vice versa - are used to eating even when they aren’t hungry and therefore eat all the time.

3. Emotional instability – People with ADHD experience difficulty getting out of emotional states, giving up on a line of thought, changing in a short time and adapting to emotional and tangible changes in the environment.

4. Defective sensory processing – Those with ADHD are unable to filter stimuli which is often expressed in high sensitivity to noise, light, touch and other external stimuli. This needs to be taken into consideration because sometimes one might think that a child is spoiled, just because they won’t wear a particular shirt or refuse to be in a loud place.

According to the DSM-5, for one to be diagnosed with ADHD they need to experience:

1. A persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. For children – 6 or more symptoms have persisted for at least 6 months. For older adolescents and adults (age 17 and older), five or more symptoms are required.

2. Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms present prior to age 12 years.

3. Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms present in two or more settings (e.g. at home, school or work; with friends or relatives; in other activities).

4. Clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with, or reduce the quality of, social, academic or occupational functioning.

5. Symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder and are not better explained by another mental disorder (e.g. mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, personality disorder, substance intoxication or withdrawal).In general, when ADHD is diagnosed, it must be ascertained that the person has no autism at any level and no manic depression (2 problems that may be related to attention disorders).

Criteria for ADHD
If you find that at least 6 (for children) or 5 (for adolescents and adults) of the following 9 criteria are met, there is a risk of ADHD in the subject:

Symptoms of inattention
    Often fails to give close attention to detail or makes mistakes
    Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or activities
    Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
    Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork or workplace duties
    Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
    Often avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
    Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
    Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
    Is often forgetful in daily activities

Symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity
    Often fidgets with or taps hands and feet, or squirms in seat
    in situations when remaining seated is expected, they leave their seat often
    Often runs and climbs in situations where it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to feeling restless)
    Often unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly
    Is often ‘on the go’, acting as if ‘driven by a motor’
    Often talks excessively
    Often blurts out answers before a question has been completed
    Often has difficulty waiting their turn
    Often interrupts or intrudes on others

 If you have any concern that a member of your family may suffer from ADHD, it is worth checking out - you may save them futile effort they would invest in trying to adapt without help. 

Diagnosing ADHD

Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a medical procedure that includes a review of the individual and his/her parents’ history since this phenomenon has a very strong hereditary tendency. It is advisable to perform a medical and psychiatric examination in order to identify whether there are comorbidities such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and anxiety. Neglecting the treatment of these existing disorders will prevent effective treatment of the attention deficit disorder. A good examination is one that serves as a tool that will allow the subject to identify failure points and learn how to avoid them. In addition, repeated testing after administration of Ritalin is also an effective diagnostic tool, when a person who has not seen improvement after consuming the substance - is likely to not have been suffering from ADHD after all.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations 
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement       

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children facts

• ADHD refers to a chronic disorder that initially manifests in childhood and is characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention.
• The cause of ADHD has not been fully defined and may involve brain-chemical and genetic factors.
• The diagnosis of ADHD involves many disciplines to include comprehensive medical, developmental, educational, and psychosocial evaluations.
• ADHD can cluster in families.

 Children with ADHD may require adjustments in the structure of their educational experience, including tutorial assistance and the use of a resource room.

• Medications are available to treat ADHD and can improve overall function.

What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

 ADHD is a chronic biobehavioral disorder that initially manifests in childhood and is characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention. Not all of those affected by ADHD manifest all three behavioral categories. These symptoms can lead to difficulty in academic, emotional, and social functioning. The diagnosis is established by satisfying specific criteria and may be associated with other neurological, significant behavioral, and/or developmental/learning disabilities. Treatment options include the use of medication, behavioral therapy, and adjustments in day-to-day lifestyle activities.

Studies indicate approximately 8%-10% of children satisfy diagnostic criteria for ADHD. ADHD is, therefore, one of the most common disorders of childhood. ADHD occurs two to four times more commonly in boys than girls (male to female ratio 4:1 for the predominantly hyperactive type vs. 2:1 for the predominantly inattentive type). Three subtypes of ADHD are described: (1) predominantly inattentive, (2) predominantly hyperactive and impulsive, and (3) combined. While previously believed to be "outgrown" by adulthood, current opinion indicates that many children will continue throughout life with symptoms that may affect both occupational and social functioning. Some medical researchers note that approximately 40%-50% of ADHD-hyperactive children will have (typically non-hyperactive) symptoms persist into adulthood. 
 

What is the cause of ADHD in children?

The cause of ADHD has not been fully defined. One theory springs from observations in functional brain imagining studies between those with and without symptoms. However, other authorities point out that similar variations have been shown in studies of the structure of the brain of affected and non-affected individuals. Animal studies have demonstrated differences in the chemistry of brain transmitters involved with judgment, impulse control, alertness, planning, and mental flexibility.

 A genetic predisposition has been demonstrated in (identical) twin and sibling studies. If one identical twin is diagnosed with ADHD, there is a 92% probability of diagnosis with the twin sibling. When comparing nonidentical twin sibling subjects, the probability falls to 33%. (Overall population incidence is 8%-10% in the U.S., as described above.)
  
What are childhood ADHD symptoms and signs?

The diagnostic criteria for ADHD are outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health, 4th ed. (DSM-IV). All of the symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity must have persisted for at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with the developmental level of the child.
Inattention:

• The child often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
• The child often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
• The child often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
•  The child often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
• The child often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.
• The child often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework).
• The child often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
• The child is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
• The child is often forgetful in daily activities.

Hyperactivity:

• The child often fidgets with his/her hands or feet or squirms in his/her seat.
• The child often leaves his/her seat in the classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected.

 The child often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate.

• The child often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.
• The child often talks excessively.

Impulsivity:

• The child often blurts out answers before questions have been completed.
• The child often has difficulty awaiting his/her turn.
• The child often interrupts or intrudes on others (for example, butts into conversations or games).

DSM-IV criteria for diagnosis of ADHD requires that some hyperactive, impulsive, or inattention symptoms that cause present difficulties were present before 7 years of age and are present in two or more settings (at school [or work] or at home). Similarly, there must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning. In addition, symptoms may not entirely be caused by another severe physical disorder (for example, severe illness associated with chronic pain) or mental disorder (for example, schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, severe disabling mood disorders, etc.). Inattention symptoms are most likely to manifest about at 8 to 9 years of age and commonly are lifelong. The "delay" in onset of inattentive symptoms may reflect its more subtle nature (vs. hyperactivity) and/or variability in the maturation of cognitive development. Hyperactivity symptoms are usually obvious by 5 years of age and peak in severity between 7 to 8 years of age. With maturation, these behaviors progressively decline and often have been "outgrown" by adolescence. Impulsive behaviors are commonly linked to hyperactivity and also peak about 7 to 8 years of age; however, unlike their hyperactive counterpart, impulsivity issues remain well into adulthood. Impulsive adolescents are more likely to experiment with high-risk behaviors (drugs, sexual activity, driving, etc.). Impulsive adults have a higher rate of financial mismanagement (impulse buying, gambling, etc.).