![]() Medical experts regard stimulants as safe. A newer stimulant used to treat ADHD, Adderall, combines dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. The drugs work by altering levels of neurotransmitters, brain chemicals that transmit nerve signals. These drugs are normally stimulants, yet they ease hyperactivity and other symptoms in 90 percent of children with ADHD. Physicians usually prescribe one of three drugs: methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine or DextroStat), and pemoline (Cylert). These include medication, counseling, social skills training, and other methods.ĪMedication Drugs are the most common treatment for ADHD and can help reduce symptoms of the disorder. One study showed that about one-third of fathers who had ADHD in childhood have children with ADHD.Īlthough there is no cure for ADHD, a variety of treatments may help children with this disorder. In addition, ADHD seems to run in families, suggesting that genetic factors may play an important role (seeGenetics). Studies have shown that areas of the brain that control attention span and limit impulsive behavior are less active in people with ADHD. Most scientists regard ADHD as a biological disorder caused by abnormalities in the brain. Most experts also reject the idea that poor parenting or a dysfunctional home environment causes ADHD. Scientists questioned this theory when studies showed that few children with ADHD benefited from diets restricting sugar and food colorings. Another theory linked ADHD with consumption of refined sugar and food additives. Experts called ADHD “minimal brain damage” and “minimal brain dysfunction” when this theory was popular in the early 1970s. One theory contended that ADHD resulted from minor head injuries or undetectable brain damage due to infections or complications during birth. However, they have discredited many theories that once were widely accepted. The combination of negative feedback, poor academic achievement, and social problems may contribute to low self-esteem and other emotional problems. Children with ADHD often receive constant criticism and correction from teachers and parents, who believe the behavior, is intentional. In addition, their disruptive, demanding behavior makes them unpopular with peers. They may run into the street without looking, blurt out inappropriate comments in class, interrupt conversations, and be unusually clumsy or accident-prone.Ĭhildren with ADHD often have severe learning problems because of their difficulties in paying attention, following instructions, and completing tasks. ADHD also makes children unusually impulsive, so that they act before thinking. Children may squirm and fidget at their desks in school, get up often to roam around the room, constantly touch things, disturb other people, tap pencils, and talk constantly. Hyperactivity involves almost constant motion, as if driven by a motor. However, children with ADHD sometimes can concentrate on and complete new or unusually interesting tasks. They may get bored with homework or other tasks after a few minutes, make careless mistakes, have trouble listening, and seem to daydream. Inattention means that people with ADHD have difficulty keeping their minds on one thing. Critics regard this discrepancy as evidence that physicians and psychologists too often apply psychiatric labels to children who are naturally more active or simply nuisances to teachers and parents.Ĭhildren and adults with ADHD consistently show various degrees of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. ![]() Physicians in the United States diagnose the disorder more often than doctors elsewhere in the world. The behaviors also must occur in at least two settings, such as classroom and home, rather than just at a single setting.Ĭontroversy exists over the diagnosis of ADHD. The behaviors must last for at least six months, and must occur more frequently than in other children of the same age. These guidelines require that a child show behaviors typical of ADHD before the age of seven. ![]() In diagnosing ADHD, experts use guidelines listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Diagnosing ADHD is difficult because most children are inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive at least some of the time. ![]()
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