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Return to: Neurodevelopmental Disorders |
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#Post#: 13-------------------------------------------------- |
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What is Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder? |
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By: BMHC Date: December 27, 2013, 10:34 pm |
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This information comes from NINDS health-related material is |
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provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily |
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represent endorsement by or an official position of the National |
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Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other |
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Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual |
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patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician |
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who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's |
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medical history. |
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All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may |
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be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated. |
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Last updated December 20, 2013 |
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URL of this page: |
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http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/adhd/adhd.htm |
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http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/adhd/adhd.htm |
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[quote]What is Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder? |
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Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a |
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neurobehavioral disorder that affects 3-5 percent of all |
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American children. It interferes with a person's ability to stay |
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on a task and to exercise age-appropriate inhibition (cognitive |
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alone or both cognitive and behavioral). Some of the warning |
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signs of ADHD include failure to listen to instructions, |
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inability to organize oneself and school work, fidgeting with |
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hands and feet, talking too much, leaving projects, chores and |
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homework unfinished, and having trouble paying attention to and |
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responding to details. There are several types of ADHD: a |
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predominantly inattentive subtype, a predominantly |
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hyperactive-impulsive subtype, and a combined subtype. ADHD is |
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usually diagnosed in childhood, although the condition can |
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continue into the adult years. |
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Is there any treatment? |
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The usual course of treatment may include medications such as |
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methylphenidate (Ritalin) or dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), |
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which are stimulants that decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity |
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and increase attention. Most experts agree that treatment for |
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ADHD should address multiple aspects of the individual's |
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functioning and should not be limited to the use of medications |
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alone. Treatment should include structured classroom management, |
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parent education (to address discipline and limit-setting), and |
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tutoring and/or behavioral therapy for the child. |
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What is the prognosis? |
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There is no "cure" for ADHD. Children with the disorder seldom |
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outgrow it; however, some may find adaptive ways to accommodate |
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the ADHD as they mature. |
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[/quote] |
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