About ADD: The changes that have occurred in the conceptualisation and definition of ADD through the years.
Singhania Childrens Clinic | About ADD
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder that falls into dysfunctional behaviour and affects both children and adults. It is identified with specific symptoms, such as the inability to sustain attention, resistance to distraction, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity or restlessness (Barkley & Murphy, 2006.)
Attention Deficit Disorder is one of the most common psychiatric problems of childhood and probably the most misunderstood one. Though Dr Still (Still, 1902) had described it as early as 1902, its existence has been shrouded in scepticism. Recent years have shown an upsurge of scientific research and evidence supporting the validity of ADHD, the complex nature of this disorder and the devastating influence on the individuals and families is becoming even clearer. Seven to ten percent of the population (Brown, 2005) suffers from this syndrome of cognitive impairments.
About ADD: Further Research
Brain imaging studies have contributed to the information on the several neural networks and neurochemicals that govern the management system of the brain called Executive Functions. Research indicates that impairment in this chemical system results in Executive Dysfunction and ADD/ADHD (Brown, 2005).
Executive Functions is a theoritical cognitive ability that organises and controls other cognitive processes. It is believed to govern planning, cognitive flexibility, abstract thinking, acquisition of rules, initiating appropriate actions and inhibiting inappropriate ones, and decisions on which sensory information is relevant (Burgess, 1997).
About ADD: Untreated ADD
Singhania Childrens Clinic | About ADD
The long-term negative out comes associated with untreated ADD are recognized (Brown, 2005). The impact of ADHD is broader than its core symptom domain. It affects the emotional life, the social life, cognitive functioning and a whole host of other aspects as to how a person functions in society. In addition to struggling with school performance, social-interactionproblems leading to low self-esteem, additional psychiatric disorders in ADD are common.
Through out history several different ways to treat Attention Deficit Disorder have arisen. As of now there are no treatments that cure ADD but several can contain and manage it. Educating the family and the school about the nature of the disorder and its treatment is the most important part of the interventions. They also include giving information on parent effectiveness training and behaviour therapy. Nonetheless, stimulant medications seem to show maximum degree of improvement in the symptoms of the disorder. Other alternative treatments like special diets, vestibular stimulation and biofeedback and relaxation training exist but have little evidence based research (Mash & Barkley, 1989).
About ADD: Controversy
Controversy has raged around Attention Deficit Disorders from its very name to the very legitimacy of its existence. Many in general public, professionals in medicine, psychology and education remain sceptical about the validity of the ADHD diagnosis and its treatment (Brown, 2005) even today. Fears and prejudices persist despite overwhelming evidence and recommendations derived from high quality, peer-reviewed research (Brown, 2005).
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