Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention deficit / Hyper activity disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder and is from one of the most common disorder in the children. It is basically attention deficit means child is unable to pay attention and is unable to focus and the other hyper activity means child is impulsive and hasty, with excessive movements. Inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity are all common behaviors and are shown by individuals in some situation but for individuals having ADHD these all behaviors are occur in multiple situations and are more frequent. The symptoms of ADHD starts to develop in early childhood and usually the individuals have all these symptoms till the teens or adulthood.

Diagnostic criteria of ADHD

Diagnostic Criteria A.

The individual shows persistent behavior of inattention / attention deficit and/or hyperactivity and/or impulsivity that restricts with daily life functioning of the individual or development. The inattention and hyperactivity is characterized by (1) and/or (2):

Inattention: for ADHD to be diagnosed in a child six or more symptoms mentioned here must be present persistently for at least the duration of 6 months. The presence of symptoms to a degree which is inconsistent with the developmental age and developmental level of the child and negatively impacts the social and academic activities of the individual.

Note: The presence of mentioned symptoms are not only an indication of hostility, oppositional behavior, and failure of individual to understand tasks or directions. For adults age 17 years or older at least five of the mentioned symptoms are required.

Individual is often unable to give close attention to particulars or individual may makes careless mistakes in any school artwork, schoolwork and at work. Individual sometimes overlooks or misses essential details and works incorrectly.
Individual often have difficulty focusing and sustaining attention in play activities or in different tasks for example individual have difficulty to focus during lecture, reading or in conversations.
Individual often seems to be inattentive while even spoken directly his or her mind seems elsewhere or absent even without any obvious external distraction.
Child often is unable to follow instructions given to complete any task like homework at school or work place duties.).
Individual have difficulty in organizing tasks or activities for example he or she has difficulty in managing consecutive tasks; he or she have difficulty in task of keeping materials and even his or her own belongings in order. The individual shows unorganized and messy work with poor time management. He or she often fails to meet the deadlines.
Child tries to avoid the task which required any sustainable mental effort for example in doing homework. For adults they often dislike or reluctant in preparing reports, reviewing lengthy papers or in completing forms.
Child with hyper activity usually loses things which are necessary for a task for example he or she loses school materials like books, tools, pencils, keys, wallet, eyeglasses, paperwork and mobile telephones.
In hyperactivity individual is often easily distracted by any external stimuli, it ma be unrelated thoughts for older adults.
Individual often forget daily activities for example doing chores, paying bills and returning calls.

Hyperactivity: for the diagnosis of hyperactivity six (or more) of the below mentioned symptoms have continuously present for at least a period of 6 months. The presence of the symptoms must be to a degree which is inconsistent with developmental level of the individual. The presence of symptoms negatively impacts academic and social activities of the individual.

Individual often impatiently and restlessly taps hands or feet or fidgets in seat.
Individual often leaves his or her place in states when remaining on the place is expected for example he or she leaves his or her seat in the classroom or in office etc. when remaining on seat is expected.
Individual often climbs or runs about in conditions where it is not appropriate.
Individual is often not be able to engage in leisure activities quietly.
Is most of time “on the go,” mode means he or she is unable to be still for long period of time for example in a meeting, or in a restaurant.
Individual with hyperactivity is often more talkative and talks excessively.
Individual with hyper activity blurts out the answer even before the completion of question for example he or she is unable to wait for his or her turn in the conversation and blurts.
While standing in line hyperactive child have difficulty for waiting his or her turn.
Hyper active individual interrupts and interferes on others during conversations, games and other activities. He or she may start using other’s things even without asking their permission.

Diagnostic Criteria B.

Most of the symptoms either of inattention or hyperactivity must be present before the age of 12 years.

Diagnostic Criteria C.

Several symptoms either of inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive must be present in two or more settings for example at school, in office, in any other activity.

Diagnostic Criteria D.

The symptoms of hyperactivity or inattention must interfere the daily routines. To reduce social and academic functioning.

Diagnostic Criteria E.

The symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity must not occur during course of any other psychotic disease.

Specify Current Severity of ADHD

Mild: if few of the symptoms are present in excess of those required to make the diagnosis and have minor effect on daily life functioning.

Moderate: if the symptoms or functional deficiency is present between “mild” and “severe” ranges

Severe: if many of the symptoms are present in excess, which are required for the diagnosis. This result in noticeable impairment in daily social, academic and occupational functioning of the individual.

Prevalence of ADHD

Population studies suggest that ADHD is present worldwide in about 7.2% of children.