Adhd
What is ADHD? Attention Deficit Disorder (AD/HD) is mostly an organic problem, which tends to run in families. ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder in childhood. An estimated 3 to 5 percent of the general population suffers from the disorder, which is characterized by agitated behavior and an inability to focus on tasks.
In the early 20th century, American doctors were discussing children who had problems similar to those described by George Fre*censored* Still, who was the first know researcher in Attention Deficit research. The one thing that many of these children had in common, other than their ADD type symptoms, was that they were survivors of the encephalitis epidemic in 1917-1918. Numerous papers described children with post encephalitic behavior disorder as impaired in attention, regulation of activity, and impulse control. Like Still patients, these children were also socially disruptive and many had memory problems. ¨(About.com: 2) At this time, the disorder was not recognized as ADHD, but was known as Brain Damaged¨ because of the encephalitis. As time passed, other researchers discovered that these children were not brain damaged but had a learning disability. It was not until 1980 this disorder was recognized as ADHD.
ADHD problems can affect many areas of a Childs life: self-esteem, academic skills, social relationships, and family relationships. Treatments need to be as broad as the effect and include Psycho-Education, Medication (including herbs and homeopathic drugs), Behavioral therapies, Social Skills, Organization and/or time management, Family therapy, Individual therapy, and Sensory-motor integration. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin) have been used for over 50 years in the treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), making them one of the oldest pharmacological treatments in psychiatry. The efficacy and safety of these medications...
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