Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) ADHD is known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is a neurocognitive behavioral developmental disorder most commonly seen in childhood and adolescence, which often extends well into adulthood. This is the most diagnosed behavior disorder in children. Recent studies have shown that it affects 7% to 8% of the school-aged children and 4% to 5% in adults. This disorder tends to occur more with males than females (Antshel). People that have ADHD can experience many behavioral difficulties that often manifest into behavioral issues. Although there is no proven way to prevent ADHD, With the proper diagnosis and treatment, people with ADHD can learn to cope with the daily demands of the classroom, social situations, and with family.
The behaviors that are associated with ADHD can create other problems and complications such as, failure to completing ones’ education, alcohol and other drug abuse, and an increased risk for delinquency. ADHD symptoms fall into three groups: lack of attention (inattentiveness), hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior (impulsivity) (Antshel). People with ADHD are easily distracted, forget instructions and have a poor short term memory. Most people with ADHD are often unable to sit still and are often restless and fidgety. These symptoms tend to occur more frequently in busy or highly stimulating group settings, like the classroom/office and family gatherings. Typically, increased stimuli and activity cause greater distraction, hyperactivity, and shortened attention span. Symptoms may not appear in a highly focused setting, such as in a one-on-one basis. These factors can cause problems in an educational or occupational setting for the person with this disorder. Since there is no such test that can detect ADHD, physicians follow specific criteria for diagnosing this disorder.