Download Attention Deficit - Lindsey Pospisil

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
ADD/ADHD
By:Lindsey Pospisil
Definition
• AD/HD is a behavioral and neurological
disorder
• According to the DSM-IV there are three
separate types:
– 1. AD/HD as a combined type including
inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity
– 2. AD/HD with just inattention
– 3. AD/HD with hyperactivity and impulsivity
» (American Psychiatric Association {APA}, 2000)
Symptoms
• The three main symptoms are:
– 1. Inattention
– 2. Impulsivity
– 3. Hyperactivity
• Other common symptoms are:
–
–
–
–
–
Distractibility
Memory
Emotional reactivity
Self-discipline
Hyperfocusing
History
• The first person to label AD/HD was Heinrich Hoffman in
1845
• Symptoms of AD/HD have been seen since the 1800’s
– These symptoms are commonly seen in children after they have
suffered from neurological damage
• 1937 the first stimulant drug Dexedrine was found for
hyperactive children, but was ignored till the 1960’s
– In the 1950’s drug therapy was the most commonly used
treatment for hyperactive children
• In the 1970’s they slowly became aware of the
neurological background involved with AD/HD
• During the 90’s AD/HD became one of the most common
disorders
Causes
• Environmental:
– Lead
– Prenatal care: smoking and alcohol
• Genetics:
– Common among close family members
– Not sure which exact gene causes AD/HD
• Frontal Lobe:
– the frontal lobe plays a role in one’s personality
– Main functions include planning, concentrating,
impulses, motivation
– The frontal lobe integrates messages it receives from
the temporal and parietal areas
Causes
• Neurotransmitters
– Dopamine
• main neurotransmitter
• Low levels can cause attention problems and
distractibility
– Nor epinephrine, Epinephrine, Acetylcholine,
Serotonin
• These all have an influence on awareness,
memory functions, and concentration
Treatments
• Stimulant medication
– Most effective treatment
– Dosages can be increased or decreased
to fit specific needs
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Dexedrine
Adderall
Concerta
Focalin
Metadate
Ritalin
Cylert
Treatments
• When AD/HD is seen along with
Depression and Anxiety, antidepressants
can be given to help behaviors for both
disorders.
• Behavior treatment is usually
recommended for those diagnosed with
AD/HD along with stimulant medication
Conclusion
• The exact cause is yet unknown for
AD/HD
• There are many parts of the brain and
body that have an influence inattention,
impulsivity, and hyperactivity, but future
research is in progress on trying to
pinpoint the exact area in the brain that
causes AD/HD.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2000).Diagnostic and
Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders (4th ed.). Washington,
DC: Author.
Purves, D., Augustine, G. J., Fitzpatrick, D., Hall, W. C., LaMantia, A.
S., McNamara, J. O., Williams, S. M. (2004). Neuroscience
(4th ed.). Sinauer Associates,
Inc.
Quinn, Patricia (Ed.). (2001). ADD and the College Student.
Washington, DC: Magination Press.
Strock, Margaret. (1996). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
National Institute of Mental Health. No. 3572. Retrieved
November 27, 2005, from,
http://www/nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd/cfm.