Neurocognitive Disorders Case Study

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Running Head: ADHD AND PARKINSON’S DISEASE 1

Neurodevelopmental And Neurocognitive Disorders Paper
ADHD and Parkinson’s Disease
Julie Thackston
University of Phoenix

ADHD AND PARKINSON’S DISEASE 3

Neurodevelopmental And Neurocognitive Disorders Paper
ADHD and Parkinson’s Disease

Two very intriguing types of mental disorders are neurodevelopment disorders and neurocognitive disorders. Neurodevelopment disorders are disorders characterized by deficits that usually show up early in a child’s development and can persist through a person’s lifetime (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The severity of these disorders can range from very specific limitations to severe impairments of social skills or intelligence. …show more content…
▪ Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games) ADHD has been referred to as an American Epidemic (Wedge, p. 41) .The incidence of ADHD has increased dramatically in the last thirty years. In 1987 the number of diagnosed children was about 3%, in 2007 it was 9.5% and by 2014 it was more than 12% (Wedge p. 12). As Marilyn Wedge says “The ADHD epidemic in the United States is at full force with no signs of slowing down” (Wedge p. 41). In preadolescent boys, this disorder is six to nine times more prevalent among boys than among girls (Hooley, Butcher, & Mineka, 2015, p. 543). ADHD tends to occur most often before the age of eight. The cause of ADHD still remains elusive to scientists and psychologists. There are some at the extreme who propose that ADHD does not even exist. Most agree that it is does indeed exist and results from both biological and environmental factors. Some studies have indicated a genetic component. Temperament and learning appear to be factors, as well as prenatal alcohol exposure. There are other factors that may cause symptoms of ADHD. These include poor diet, allergies, hyperthyroidism , prematurity and heavy metal poisoning (Saul, p. …show more content…
The patient’s age is an important factor in predicting how well certain medications will work. Other factors to consider are degree of disability, cognitive status and potential drug side effects (Okun & Fernandez, p. 97). Since most symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are caused by a lack of dopamine in the brain, many Parkinson’s drugs are aimed at either temporarily replenishing dopamine or replicating the action of dopamine. These types of drugs are called dopaminergic medications. They generally help reduce muscle rigidity, improve speed and coordination of movement and lessen tremor.

Both ADHD and Parkinson’s have affected people that are dear to me. My nephew was recently diagnosed with ADHD and my grandmother is living with Parkinson’s disease. The research I did for this paper was not only academically interesting, but had a personal impact on me as well. It is encouraging to see the amount of research done for both of these disorders. I am personally encouraged to see time and research devoted to treatments other than
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