ADHD Definition

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Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Definition
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, or NIH, Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a brain disorder marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.
Specific terms used in the diagnosis include:
• Inattention means a person wanders off task, lacks persistence, has difficulty sustaining focus, and is disorganized; and these problems are not due to defiance or lack of comprehension. • Hyperactivity means a person seems to move about constantly, including in situations in which it is not appropriate; or excessively fidgets, taps, or talks. In adults, it may be
extreme …show more content…
ADHD History
What is now known as only ADHD has undergone many changes in the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM. It was first described as “Hyperkinetic
Reaction of Childhood in DSM II, in 1968. Since that time, its description, and name, has
ADHD 3 undergone many changes. In DSM III, it was called Attention Deficit Disorder (with or without hyperactivity) and transitioned into just ADHD in DSM III-R. In 1994, with the release of DSM
IV, the new diagnosis became ADHD with three different subtypes: combined-type, inattentive type and hyperactive/impulsive-type. The DSM IV diagnosis states that, “a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequently displayed and more severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development". Symptoms must have been present from before age 7, although many patients are diagnosed years later. The most current version, DSM IV, defines ADHD as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development, has …show more content…
In most children, the symptoms have been there much longer. However, parents and teachers often dismiss the signs and symptoms as being, “just a boy/kid,” “disrespectful,” or “lazy.” By definition, it affects not only a child’s school life, but it can also have an impact on their home and social life as well. Just learning simple things in school is much harder for a child who can’t focus on one thing for very long. Children with ADHD, especially those who exhibit hyperactivity and impulsivity, are often seen as a nuisance in the classroom. They often end up in the office due to their inability to sit in a desk and focus, especially in a teacher centered classroom. They tend to be unorganized, misplace things easily, and forget to complete or turn in homework. These things are known as executive functioning skills. Socially, these children are either the class clown, or are looked at as being awkward and annoying by their peers.
Impact on Adults
Having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as an adult is equally as tough, if not tougher. No longer is it just school work to focus on, but as an adult there comes many
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