Treatment

ADHD patients can improve in a drastic manner their lifestyle by entering in a treatment which is not just medicines, such as therapies, changing some habits, and regular exercise. Since medications do not entirely reduces, or improve all symptoms, it is an excellent tool for ADHD treatment. They need to be combined with other things such as eating healthy, practicing a sport such as karate, soccer, gymnastics etc. Lifestyle changes are required in order to avoid ADHD to continue disrupting daily activities during adulthood.

Just like the other medicines, the medication for ADHD must be prescribed in a personalized way so it can make an effect and successfully improve certain symptoms. Stimulants are the most common medicine since it´s been in the market for many years, has a lot of research in which its effectiveness is proven. Stimulants increases the dopamine levels in the brain, dopamine is neurotransmitter associated with motivation, pleasure, attention, and movement. So when a stimulant is taken it will boost concentration and reduce impulsive and hyperactive behavior. The most common stimulants are Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine.

Another option is Non-stimulant medicines which last longer up to 24 hrs and it is prescribed if the Stimulants do not have effect or the side effects are not tolerable. Different to stimulants, non stimulants increases the level of another brain chemical called norepinephrine. The only non stimulant approved by the FDA is Strattera, since it has antidepressants properties it is a good choice for those who have co-existing anxiety or depression.

ADHD´s Causes

Causes:

Although a concrete causes of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have not been found, researchers believe that Heredity may be the most potential cause. Studies show that prenatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco, premature delivery and postnatal injury etc have been found to contribute to ADHD.

Reasearch totally disappove that poor parenting, television, high levels of sugar, environment factors, substamce added to food, or familiy issues are the cause of ADHD. They can highly increase the degree of ADHD but it is believed that is not the exact cause.


Co-exisiting Disorders:

There is a greater chance of having coexisting disorders, around two thirds of children with ADHD have at least one coexisting disorder such as:

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) : involves negative, hostile behavior, and problems with authority figures.

Conduct disorder: known as an antisocial behavior characterized by property destruction, stealing, and fighting.
Depression and bipolar disorder: despression, bipolar state of mind and manic behavior.

Anxiety disorders: nervouness and excesive worry. Thsi has to be treated and controlled first in order to treat and handle ADHD.

Learning disabilities: special education/ attention is needed at school. However, there are also gifted learners diagnosed with ADHD.
Tourette syndrome: impulsive muscle or vocal tics. This is a neurolopgical disorder.

Diagnostic:

There is not an specific test to diagnose the ADHD, this is a process of several examinations which is called Psychiatry assesment which includes physical examination, radiological imaging, and laboratory tests may be use.

The American Psychiatric Association has published a book, called Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This guide used by doctors, and mental health professionals has the criteria needed to met when diagnosing ADHD. The DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision) is the last manual published, and the DSM 5 is expected to be published on May of this year.
According to the DSM-IV, in order to be diagnosed with ADHD the person must have present six of the nine characteristics on any of the three subtypes:
1. Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive

• Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
• Has difficulty sustaining attention
• Does not appear to listen
• Struggles to follow through on instructions
• Has difficulty with organization
• Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort
• Is easily distracted
• Is forgetful in daily activities

2. Predominantly Inattentive

• Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair
• Has difficulty remaining seated
• Runs around or climbs excessively
• Has difficulty engaging in activities quietly
• Acts as if driven by a motor
• Talks excessively
• Blurts out answers before questions have been completed
• Has difficulty waiting or taking turns
• Interrupts or intrudes upon others

3. Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive

• Meets both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive criteria

Getting to know ADHD

Also known as ADD (Attention deficit disorder), ADHD is a disorder that involves inattentiveness, and hyperactivity. This is a Psychiatry Chronic Disorder where the symptoms begin showing before seven years of age. It is diagnosed three to four times more in boys than girls and even though there is a discrepancy and many controversies over the years, this is considered a genuine disorder.
The treatment involves combination of medicines, lifestyle changes, counseling or therapy between others.

Similar to order disorders ADHD is also classified and cataloged in different classes which are:

• Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
• Predominantly Inattentive
• Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive

ADHD can be a chaos for children and adults, however with treatment life style can highly be improved and become normal, though this disorder cannot be cured