Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the common widespread of todays generation. ADHD is a common researched disorder in many children and adolescents. It can affect many criteria in their life, for example, concentration on school work and close relationships with family, friends and teachers. (Saecker et al., 2010, p.960) Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder is a condition that involves a learning impairment and behavioural problems, due to the fact that a child/ adolescent is unable to pay attention for a long period of time. (Fisher and Hawkridge, 2013, p.136) This essay will consist of the analysis of the symptoms of ADHD, important statistics to take notice about the condition, the testing process of this disorder, and also possible treatments.
In order for a patient to get diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms need to occur persistingly 6 or more months. They interfere with the development of the social and learning aspects. At the age of 17 and older, five symptoms are required in order to be fully diagnosed, whereas the younger age group need to show six or more symptoms. The symptoms fall under two categories. Those categories are; inattention and hyperactivity and impulsivity. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p.59-60).
The first category is Inattention. It includes the patient lacking the behavioural features. Those features include not paying close attention to instructions given, usually makes careless mistakes. For example, forgetting to include minor details, or the work is done incorrectly. They also need to show, the struggle in paying attention to the rules, wonders off when spoken too, and incompletion of work expected to be done. Forgetfulness, difficulty in managing errands and time, for instance, they may have a messy room and will always be late for an appointment, also fall into the diagnosing. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p.59).
