Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder : an overview

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioural disorder found more commonly, but not exclusively, in school-age children. The hallmarks of the condition are inattention and hyperactivity/ impulsivity, which often go together. Although the term ADHD was coined relatively recently, ADHD has in fact been described as early as 1902. This review article will go through the most important historical aspects of the condition, and will also give an account of what is known about the aetiology of ADHD. The diagnostic criteria issued by the American Psychiatric Association in DSM-5, have been last updated in May 2013. This article will highlight the differences between DSM-5 and the previous version, DSM-IV-TR, and will also touch upon the latest developments in electroencephalographybased investigations and imaging studies for ADHD. Although the condition cannot be cured, symptoms can be managed using various modalities such as behaviour intervention strategies and medication, such that the individual affected by ADHD can have the least possible disruption to social and academic functioning.peer-reviewe

Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity, and Depression

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of depression that is going untreated in adolescents with an Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis. This study included high school age students (grades 9-12) who either had a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD, had never been diagnosed with depression, and who have never been treated for depression and another group who did not have a diagnosis of either ADD/ ADHD or depression. After obtaining parental permission, through a questionnaire format, the students were given the Beck Depression Inventory. A Chi-Square was performed to examine if there were significantly larger proportions of adolescents who showed clinical levels of depression among those who had an ADD/ ADHD diagnosis compared to those who did not. The study failed to support the hypothesis. However, there were 26.6% of those who were ADD/ADHD that did show clinical levels of depression. A discussion of the limitations of this study and implications for future research are given

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a closer look

Includes bibliographical references

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication and seizures

OBJECTIVE: Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk of seizures, but there is uncertainty about whether ADHD medication treatment increases risk among patients with and without preexisting seizures. METHODS: We followed a sample of 801,838 patients with ADHD who had prescribed drug claims from the Truven Health MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters databases to examine whether ADHD medication increases the likelihood of seizures among ADHD patients with and without a history of seizures. First, we assessed overall risk of seizures among patients with ADHD. Second, within-individual concurrent analyses assessed odds of seizure events during months when a patient with ADHD received ADHD medication compared with when the same individual did not, while adjusting for antiepileptic medications. Third, within-individual long-term analyses examined odds of seizure events in relation to the duration of months over the previous 2 years patients received medication. RESULTS: Patients with ADHD were at higher odds for any seizure compared with non-ADHD controls (odds ratio [OR] = 2.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.24-2.42 males; OR = 2.31, 95% CI = 2.22-2.42 females). In adjusted within-individual comparisons, ADHD medication was associated with lower odds of seizures among patients with (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.60-0.85) and without (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.62-0.82) prior seizures. Long-term within-individual comparisons suggested no evidence of an association between medication use and seizures among individuals with (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.59-1.30) and without (OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.80-1.28) a seizure history. CONCLUSIONS: Results reaffirm that patients with ADHD are at higher risk of seizures. However, ADHD medication was associated with lower risk of seizures within individuals while they were dispensed medication, which is not consistent with the hypothesis that ADHD medication increases risk of seizures

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a common neurobehavioural disorder that compromises the core symptoms of developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Many patients are still not diagnosed, or do not receive appropriate sustained treatment, in spite of a general greater awareness of the disorder. With such a high prevalence, the clinician needs to be well-informed about the presentation, treatment and challenges associated with this complex disorder.Keywords: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, methylphenidate, atomoxetin

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental disorder of the neurodevelopmental type. The disorder represents one of the common causes of referral for behavioral problems in children to medical and mental health doctors all around the world. The diagnosis can be done by DSM-V criteria. According to DSM-V, there are three main subtypes of ADHD: ADHD-inattentive type, ADHD-hyperactive-impulsive type, and ADHD-combined type. The etiology of ADHD is not definitively known. A genetic imbalance of catecholamine metabolism in the cerebral cortex appears to play a primary role. Various environmental factors may play a secondary role. Cognitive impairments in a variety of domains have been found in ADHD as well as impairment in overall intellectual function. A meta-analysis of children and adolescents with ADHD showed impairments in several aspects of executive functioning. The most important part of any intervention plan for a child with ADHD is the physical, behavioral and neuromotor/neuropsychological examination. Medication should be started with one of the stimulants. Both d-amphetamine and methylphenidate have been shown to be effective for improvement of hyperactivity, concentration problems, learning disorders, and other comorbidities