Facts on ADHD

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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Inattentive ADHD - Interesting Facts and Realistic Solutions

For many the sheer mention of the ADHD conjures up images of a child who is constantly forgetting something and spends so much time in the principal's office for his unruly behavior that he could call it home. But the truth is inattentive ADHD, along with other forms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, can be quite different as well as evolved differently with age.

Inattentive ADHD has some similarities to other subtypes in that it is characterized mainly by inattention, distractibility, chronic forgetfulness, and disorganization. On the other hand those with inattentive ADHD tend to be less hyperactive and exhibit far fewer instances of impulsive behavior.

The child with the inattentive form of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may dread any project, or learning experience, that requires planning or is structured. This fear is not generally a result of failing to know or understanding the material rather the result of neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain. Recent research by the NIMH has also linked this fear to underdevelopment in certain areas of the brain that control self-regulation.

After reading the two paragraphs above it is easy to see why children with inattentive ADHD tend to under achievers when it comes to academic performance often resulting in early withdrawal from school. This early withdrawal from school could come in the form of dropping out or staying in school but basically giving up.

If a parent or teacher is not familiar with the intricacies of inattentive ADHD they may be quick to label these children as irresponsible, immature, lazy, not caring, not willing to put in the time, or simply not trying hard enough. Once labeled it is very difficult to overcome the stigma possibly resulting in social and academic ostracism.

At some point most children with the inattentive ADHD subtype will come to accept the fact that they are different from other children their age. Nevertheless, this realization will not be enough to offset the continuous negative input likely resulting in a negative self-image which can become self-fulfilling.

If these children are allowed to move through life without finding something positive to latch onto their inattentiveness, poor self-image, and ongoing frustrations often leads to a myriad of severe concerns including problems sustaining healthy relationships, challenges in future educational endeavors, and succeeding in the workplace. These problems can add to their pre-existing frustrations leading to secondary pathologies such as drug abuse, mood disorder, mania, sexual promiscuity, and anxiety disorders.

This help can come in many different forms including behavioral therapy, homeopathic ADHD remedies, mentoring, coaching, stimulant medications, or group therapy. One success story I observed was none other than a young adult who had struggled with the condition all his life joining Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Where all other forms of treatment had failed this unexpected approach to treatment completely turned his life around. Perhaps this is an example of real world therapy rising above stale clinical and drug therapy.

In closing, I would like to leave you with a few differences in inattentive ADHD compared to the combined subtype of ADHD.

Those who were diagnosed with the combined subtype performed better in the areas of memory, fluency, processing speed, attention, and performance IQ. Those with inattentive ADHD performed better in visual abilities, working memory, motor ability, and language.

Robert D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic consumer advocate for natural health and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field. To discover more about ADHD along with information about a safe and effective herbal and homeopathic ADHD remedies Click Here

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