Facts on ADHD are changing rapidly making much of what was believed to be true just ten years ago a footnote in the history of ADHD evolution. For that reason if you are serious about learning about compiling accurate facts on ADHD you will seek out current information and studies that are less than eight years old and preferably less than a couple of years old.
Why the change?
The two primary reasons that facts on ADHD are changing has to do with the utilization of new brain scan technology and the completion of long-term studies spanning decades including thousands of children.
Once such study compared ADHD children in the United States who are regularly treated with prescription stimulants to those in northern Finland who are rarely treated with medicine for ADHD. Surprisingly, the look of the disorder - its prevalence, symptoms, psychiatric co-morbidity, and cognition is just about the same as in the United States when looked at over the long-term. This study seems to have cast uncertainty on the effectiveness of prescription stimulants when used over a period of time and seems to support another recent finding that links ADHD to speed of brain development, especially in the areas of the brain that control self-regulation.
Another recent finding has helped to further unravel the mystery surrounding why ADHD is so often inherited. The study identified two genes (DBH and DRD2) involved in the regulation of dopamine. When these genes are passed on it virtually assure that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder will be inherited. This finding further connects the dopamine pathway in the etiology of the disorder.
Facts on ADHD - Who has the condition?
The most recent data shows an increase in diagnosed ADHD cases in the United States from approximately 6 percent of school age children up to 9 percent. The ratio of boys to girls has decreased from 10 to 1 down to around 3 to 1.
There are three subtypes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. They are predominately inattentive, with boys outnumbering girls by only a 2 to 1 ratio. The predominately hyperactive and impulsive type, where boys outnumber girls by a 4 to 1 ratio. The combined type where boys outnumber girls by a 3 to 1 ratio.
While some children will outgrow the condition others will not. Statistically, a child has about a 50/50 chance though this number can be disputed due to the skillfulness of some ADHD adults in masking and adapting to their symptoms.
Facts on ADHD - Defining the Condition
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder applies to children or adults that regularly display certain behaviors over a period of time. The three primary behaviors are distractibility, impaired impulse control, and hyperactivity/ restlessness.
In order to gain a diagnosis these behaviors must be severe enough to impact performance, last over 6 months, and must appear before the age of 7. The one part of the diagnostic criteria that is somewhat subject is at what point does ADHD behavior cross over the line from being a nuisance to becoming a real handicap in a person's life affect them at school, at home, at work, or in their daily social interactions.
Perhaps this is why the United States which applies the above diagnostic criteria somewhat liberally has a child ADHD rate of 9 percent and the United Kingdom which applies the criteria strictly only has a child ADHD rate of 1 percent.
Facts on ADHD - Common Symptoms
Some of the most common symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are: blurting out answers before listening to the entire question; trouble waiting in line (lack of patience); excessive talking (primary seen in girls); feelings of restlessness; foot and/or hand tapping; forgetfulness; failing to follow instructions carefully and completely; not listening when spoken to directly; beginning tasks only to leave them unfinished; and regularly making careless mistakes.
In conclusion, compiling dependable current facts on ADHD can be challenging to say the least. Nevertheless, I have found it to be both interesting and informative when approached in a patient methodical way.
I would encourage you to look at the bottom of each research article for the publication date (accepting nothing over 8 years old as absolute fact) in order to get the most out of your research and make the best possible choices for you and your children.
Robert D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic consumer advocate for natural health and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field. To learn more about ADHD along with information about herbal and homeopathic ADHD remedies Click Here
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