RELEVANT FACTS ABOUT ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER (ADD)

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, similar to hyperkinetic disorder in theICD-10) is a psychiatric disorder of the neurodevelopmental disorder class in which there are significant problems of attention and/or hyperactivity and acting impulsively that are not appropriate for a person's age. When a person shows ADD/ADHD, that person has trouble concentrating, difficulty focusing on the task hold, and acts impulsively without thinking.

In some people, these and other exasperating behaviors are uncontrollable, persistently plaguing their day to day existence and interfering with their ability to form lasting friendships or succeed in school, at home, and with a career.

These symptoms must begin before seven to twelve years of age and must have been present for more than six months for a diagnosis to be made. There are three subtypes:

Predominantly inattentive (ADHD-PI or ADHD-I): When symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, but not symptoms of inattention have been presented for at least 6 month.

Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive (ADHD-HI or ADHD-H): When symptoms of inattention, but not of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been presented for at least 6 month.

Combined (ADHD-C): When symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity have been presented for at least 6 month.

ADHD does not show physical signs that can be detected by a blood test or other lab test. Its symptoms often overlap with those of other physical and psychological disorders.

It usually appears during childhood although it can also be diagnosed in adulthood; however, it happens when it was presented in childhood, but not diagnosed.

Some important facts about ADD are:

-It is about 3 times more common among boys than girls

-The symptoms of ADD do not always go away because up to 60% of child patients retain their symptoms into adulthood.

-Sometimes many adults are not aware of this disorder because they may have been wrongly diagnosed with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or a learning disability.

-ADD has been identified in every nation and culture that has been studied.

ADD/ADHD is often accompanied by: Anxiety, learning disabilities speech or hearing problems, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and behavioral problems such as oppositional disorder or conduct disorder.

When a person shows these problems, there must be evidence that these behaviors are present in two or more settings: at home, school or work, with friends, family, etc. For example, someone who can pay attention at work but is inattentive only at home would not qualify for a diagnostic. However, it can be done when a child’s hyperactivity, distractibility, lack of concentration, or impulsivity starts affecting school performance, friendships, or behavior at home.

ADD/ADHD can be caused by genetic factors, environmental facts (if the mother smokes), nutrition and food, and brain damage.

If a child presents this disorder, he/she must be treated with a professional.

It is very crucial to know about this disorder because in our culture is easy to see children and even older people with any of those problems. However, we just make our diagnostic without thinking what can surely be, without looking for professional help, and because of those mistakes children’s performance can be affected. Also, if we know that a child or an older person has a disorder, we will understand the reasons of their behavior, and if they are our students, we could not discriminate them, but use different and creative methods and techniques in order to improve the student’s performance and learning. 

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention_deficit_hyperactivity_disorder

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/adhd/