Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): medication, Over the Counter drugs.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)

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Overview of Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurological disorder that affects millions of children. About 60% of children diagnosed with ADHD retain the condition until their adulthood.¹People suffering from this condition are inattentive, hyperactive and show impulsive behavior.²They also struggle with low self-esteem, troubled personal relationships and poor performance at school or at work.

If this condition is left untreated, it leads to associated behavioral, emotional, social, vocational and academic problems.¹ Antipsychostimulant drugs are prescribed to subside the symptoms. These drugs can sometimes have side-effects. Community support, counseling, special accommodations in the classroom and family are other kinds of treatments in treating ADHD.

Occurence of Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in different groups (Epidemiology)

The incidence of ADHD in the parents of children, diagnosed with ADHD is 25% indicating a strong genetic predisposition.³Some studies have shown that boys are affected approximately five times more often than girls. Other studies have suggested that ADHD cannot be diagnosed easily in girls, as girls with ADHD show their symptoms differently.⁴

Statistical analysis has suggested that heredity is responsible for approximately half of the explainable variance in hyperactivity and inattentiveness. The link between poor family conditions and perinatal factors with hyperactivity is weak.⁵

Children and teenagers who are suffering from this disorder usually show health-threatening behaviors like smoking, alcohol intake and substance abuse.

Prevention for Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder cannot be prevented. Avoiding alcohol, drugs, and smoking during pregnancy may help to prevent the child from developing behavior similar to ADHD and also other health problems.

Related Topics...

Living with ADHD

Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: Jun 20, 2011

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References

Available at: www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-adults. Accessed on: 2nd April 2008.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
Biederman J, Faraone SV, Keenan K, Knee D, Tsuang MT. Family-genetic and psychosocial risk factors in DSM-III attention deficit disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1990; 29(4): 526–533.
Available at: www.neurologychannel.com/adhd/index.shtmlss. Accesssed on: 2nd April, 2008.
Goodman R, Stevenson J. A twin study of hyperactivity - II. The aetiological role of genes, family relationships and perinatal adversity. J Child Psychol Psychiat. 1989; 30: 691–709.
Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/symptom.htm. Accessed on: 3rd April, 2008.
Available at: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001551.htm#References. Accessed on: 3rd April, 2008.
Roman T, Rohde LA, Hutz MH. "Polymorphisms of the dopamine transporter gene: influence on response to methylphenidate in attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder." Am J Pharmacogenom.2004; 4(2): 83–92.
Acosta MT, Arcos-Burgos M, Muenke M. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Complex phenotype, simple genotype?. Genet Med. 2004; 6 (1): 1–15.
The MTA Cooperative Group. A 14-month randomized clinical trial of treatment strategies for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Arch Gen Psychiatr.1999; 56: 1073–1086.
Jensen P, Garcia J, Glied S, Crowe M, Foster M, Schlander M. Cost- effectiveness of ADHD treatments: Findings from the multimodal
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