Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Essay -- Behavior Disor

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( minimal brain damage)     Imagine living in a world where sights, sounds, images and thoughts argonconstantly changing and shifting. Unable to focus on whatever task is at hand,your mind wanders from one activity or thought to the next. Sometimes you conkso lost among all the thoughts and images that you dont even notice whensomeone is speaking to you.     This is what it is like for many people who have Attention DeficitHyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. erstwhile called hyperkinesis or minimal braindysfunction, ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders among children. Itaffects 3 to 5 percent of all children, and it is likely to occur two to threetimes more in boys than in girls.     People who have ADHD may be unable to sit still, plan ahead, finishtasks, or be only aware of what is going on in the world around them.However, on some occasions, they may appear "normal ", leading former(a)s to desirethat the person with ADHD can control such behaviors. As a result of this, ADHDcan hinder the persons relationships and interactions with others in additionto disrupting their daily sustenance and lowering self-esteem.     To determine whether or not a person has ADHD, specialists must considerseveral questions Do these behaviors occur more often than in other people ofthe same age? Are the behaviors an ongoing problem, not just a response to atemporary situation? Do the behaviors occur only in one specific place or inseveral different settings?     In answering these questions, the persons behavior patterns arecompared to a set of criteria and characteristics of ADHD. The Diagnosticstatistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) presents this set of criteria.According to the DSM, there are three patterns of behavior that indicate ADHDinattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.     Accordi ng to the DSM, signs of inattention include becoming substantiallydistracted by irrelevant sights and sounds failing to pay attention to detailsand making careless mistakes rarely following instructions carefully and/orcompletely and constantly losing or forgetting things like books, pencils,tools, and such.     Some signs of hyperactivity... ...ith accompanying conduct disorders control their impulsive,destructive behaviors.      However, these drugs dont cure ADHD, they only temporarily control thesymptoms. Many health professionals commend that these medications be used incombination with some type of therapy, training, and/or clog group. Suchoptions include psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, social skillstraining, parental skills training (for parents with ADHD children), and supportgroups.     Although most people with ADHD dont "outgrow" it, they do learn how toadapt and live better, more fulfill ing lives. With the proper combination ofmedicine, family, and emotional support, people who have ADHD can develop waysto better control their behavior.     Through further studies, scientists are better understanding the natureof biological disorders. New research is allowing us to better understand howour minds and bodies work, along with new medicines and treatments that continueto be developed. Even though there is no immediate cure for ADHD, researchcontinues to provide information, knowledge, and hope.