Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder is also known as ADHD in English or TDAH in French. It is an increasingly common condition that begins in childhood and may persist throughout adulthood. There are 3 forms of this disease: an inattentive (attention deficit) type, a hyperactive type, and a mixed type (ADHD). The hyperactive type tends to resolve by late adolescence whereas the attention deficit / inattentive type persists throughout adulthood. The disease is currently treated by stimulant medications (Ritalin, Concerta, Medikinet, methylphenidate, Strattera, among others) as well as Neurofeedback in order to increase the activity of the prefrontal cortex which is responsible for focusing attention and controlling impulsivity and hyperactivity. The diagnostic criteria of the American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM IV-TR) are listed below. In order for a person to have either ADD, AHD or ADHD, see below for the number of symptoms that are required from each of the three categories listed below. If you suspect that you may suffer from ADHD or its related conditions, please consult your physician or psychiatrist in order to have a more complete evaluation.
Inattention
1. Does not pay attention to details
2. Has difficulty sustaining attention at school
3. Does not seem to listen when spoken to
4. Does not follow through on instructions or finish tasks
5. Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
6. Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
7. Often loses things
8. Is easily distracted
9. Is forgetful
Hyperactivity
1. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms
2. Often leaves seat in classroom or elsewhere
3. Often runs about or climbs excessively
4. Has difficulty playing quietly
5. Often on the go, acting as if driven by a motor
6. Often talks excessively
Impulsivity
1. Often blurts out answers before questions are completed
2. Often has difficulty awaiting turn
3. Often interrupts or intrudes on others
*Diagnosis by DSM-IV-TR criteria requires that symptom criteria must be present in at least 2 situations and present before age 7.(this is being revised to 16 years of age) Diagnosis also requires the following:
· 6 of the 9 possible symptoms of inattention for the predominantly inattentive type
· 6 of the 9 possible symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity for the hyperactive-impulsive type
· 6 symptoms each of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity for the combined type
DSMIV-TR = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth Edition Text Revision. American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
Inattention
1. Does not pay attention to details
2. Has difficulty sustaining attention at school
3. Does not seem to listen when spoken to
4. Does not follow through on instructions or finish tasks
5. Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
6. Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
7. Often loses things
8. Is easily distracted
9. Is forgetful
Hyperactivity
1. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms
2. Often leaves seat in classroom or elsewhere
3. Often runs about or climbs excessively
4. Has difficulty playing quietly
5. Often on the go, acting as if driven by a motor
6. Often talks excessively
Impulsivity
1. Often blurts out answers before questions are completed
2. Often has difficulty awaiting turn
3. Often interrupts or intrudes on others
*Diagnosis by DSM-IV-TR criteria requires that symptom criteria must be present in at least 2 situations and present before age 7.(this is being revised to 16 years of age) Diagnosis also requires the following:
· 6 of the 9 possible symptoms of inattention for the predominantly inattentive type
· 6 of the 9 possible symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity for the hyperactive-impulsive type
· 6 symptoms each of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity for the combined type
DSMIV-TR = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth Edition Text Revision. American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
