Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

How is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosed?

2007-07-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

Assessing whether a certain individual is suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder or not is far harder than it appears to laymen like ourselves. This is because, not only does it’s symptoms largely overlap those of hyperthyroidism etc. they are also largely exhibited by ‘normal’ human beings some time or the other every single day. Therefore the first important step towards diagnosing the disease is to consult a trained health care provider regarding it.

Given that the defining factors of Attention Deficit Disorder is still quite musty and vague diagnosing the problem is difficult since nothing is strictly within or outside the peripheries of the disease. And although various organizations like The American Pediatrics Clinical Practice for instance, have tried to provide certain guidelines in order to recognize the disease most are still quite unsure regarding the reliability of such methods. Of course doctors have in the past tried MRI (or magnetic resonance imagery) to analyze their patient’s brains in order to detect any possible signs of ADD, but most medical practitioners do not recommend this any more. Thus diagnosis is now primarily based on the reports of those close to the patient, who see, talk, work or live with him/her everyday and have thereby come to know the patients habits closely. A number of people suffering from ADD also realize their problem with time, especially as they grow older and consult doctors regarding it.

The guideline provided by the American Academy of pediatrics requires medical personnel to look into the child’s behavior in more than one place before reaching a conclusion regarding whether or not the child is suffering from ADD. Thus the doctor is expected to consult various ‘witnesses’ regarding the behavior of his patient in say his school, his home, at the playground, at his Grandma’s place etc. and thereby ensure that his diagnosis is not based on the child’s behavior at a certain specific place. This is to know for sure that the problem in hand is intrinsic and is consistent everywhere and not specifically due to some factors at a particular place. The guideline also requires the physician to use an “explicit criteria for the diagnosis using the DS-IV-TR”.

When approaching a doctor for cure therefore make sure that he/she follows these directions set by the Academy closely before diagnosing the problem. Remember a problem such as ADD might not be as difficult to cure as to diagnose, in fact proper diagnosis might be the first step towards a satisfactory cure.

ADD is an underestimated disease which is seen in varying degrees amongst many youngsters around us and while we may choose to ignore it and deny it’s presence it’s a plague which will follow your little one right till he shuts his eyes for good. Therefore recognize your child’s disease today and take him to a doctor for the right diagnosis and a proper cure.

PLANNING THE DAILY LIFE FOR ADULTS WITH ADHD

2007-07-23T08:28:00.001-07:00

Details seem to be useless to those adults who are suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). We do have our goals clear in our minds, and cannot wait to have it achieved, hoping that there was some way to skip all the work required to be done in the process. Sadly enough, this attitude tends to get us overwhelmed, when we are to start the project. We seem to know what we want at the end, without having any idea of what needs to be done at the beginning.

This story is true for the everyday life as well. Adults suffering from ADD, generally start their day being sure of their goals, but they can’t seem to get their priorities right and decide where to start from. This causes them to feel stressed and guilty, which makes them feel bad, and ultimately work less.

To avoid such a situation, these adults should develop the habit of making a daily planning routine.

In order to develop such a routine, the following 3 steps can be practiced:

1. Deciding On a Time to Do the Planning

The time of the day when the planning process can be done should be decided first. This should require only about 15 minutes, and the time could either be set specifically (say 8:00 PM) or could just be something like the time "right before bed."

The time late in the day is usually most preferred by the adults with ADD, since that is when they are the most alert. This is helpful since it allows one to plan for the next day, instead of worrying over it when they should go to bed!

2. Reviewing the To-Do List

Firstly make sure that you do use a to-do list, (if you don’t then make one). This can be reviewed during each of your planning sessions, to remind you of what needs to be done. It also helps you feel good about all that you have already done during the day.

You must regularly re-write the list, deleting all the completed tasks and adding the new ones. The most urgent and important of the tasks should be noted at the top of the list. You may break the large ones into 3-5 steps, noting it down on your list.

3. Reviewing the Calendar

Now, go through your daily planner (assuming that you are now finally using one!). Check your next day’s appointments and block off those times on the planner, not forgetting the travel time. Now you can plan how to set aside some of your remaining time for the jobs on the to-do list.

Thus, spending just 15 minutes on planning the schedule can take away the everyday stress from the life of an adult with ADD, and can help one move ahead.

INTRODUCTION TO ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

2007-07-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has many manifestations and there are more than five kinds of ADHD. It is a medical condition that is carried in the genes, resulting in certain disorders in the nervous system.

The DSM-IV Diagnostic Manual reports that any single form or “type” of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder could be categorized under the diagnostic chapter of ADHD. This central list is then broken into ADHD Impulsive-Hyperactive Type, ADHD Inattentive Type, or ADHD Combined Type. Sometime ago, the words attention deficit disorder “without” or “with” hyperactivity were also generally used. Not only does the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity can take various forms, but also there could be so many combinations that different kids could show different symptoms.

It generally happens that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affects more than three or four parts of the brain. This causes many singular “profiles” or “styles” of children and sometimes even adults with ADHD or ADD.

The various styles influence actions in the following four spheres:

• Number one, inability to attend.
• Number two, difficulties in Impulse Control.
• Number three, problems with motor restlessness or hyperactivity.
• Number four, a condition which is yet to be declared “officially” in the manuals of diagnosis, but should be – that condition is being bored quickly.

To mention a few more crucial aspects of this condition:

1. This disorder is observable in the majority of circumstances, both in school and also home. If the child shows the symptoms only in his or her home, then possibilities like depression of the child, or deliberately being unruly with the parents, cannot be entirely ruled out.

2. Another thing is that the disorder could be noticed before the child crosses seven years of age. Because Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is caused due to neurological problems, it could be either from an injury to the head, or could have been carried in the genes itself. The problem takes a firm grip and creates real adjustment issues with the increase in school activities and task. But by the age of seven the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder could be noticed with a little scrutiny.