Psychology

Attention deficit hypersensitivity disorder is also referred to as hyperactivity or Attention Deficit Disorder. It is a common condition affecting children. Children suffering from this condition experience difficulties in paying attention or even concentrating. They also have problems following directions and are easily bored or frustrated with tasks which have multiple steps. These children are always on the move and do not think before doing anything. Although these behaviors may be experienced in normal children, they are quite severe in children suffering from ADHD. These behaviors interfere with the ability of the child to function properly at school and at home (SCIE research briefing, para. 4).

Importance of the disorder
ADHD is the most common identified behavioral disorder in children and it is the rapidly growing psychiatric disorder in adults. As from 1990, the number of American children diagnosed with the disorder has greatly increased from 900,000 to 5.5 million and the use of the common medication Ritalin has also greatly increased during the same period (Koelega, p. 19). Currently, the condition is diagnosed based on its three characteristic signs and the duration of the signs. The methods of diagnosis have been criticized for not being valid. It is very important to understand the disease because it can result in serious consequences (Douglas,  Ditto, p. 117).

People should be informed about signs associated with the disease as this will enable understanding of the disease. Lack of knowledge about the condition can result into serious consequences such as academic failure, school drop out, among others. For adults who were not treated in their childhood, they may experience problems at the work place like poor performance and even substance abuse. When the problem is detected and handled earlier enough, children suffering from this condition can adopt to live with it (Danforth, Barkley,  Stokes, p. 705).

The definitive cause of ADHD is not yet clear and the researchers are still studying the brain so as to get any clue concerning the condition. The studies which have been conducted concerning the cause include studying genes related to dopamine and also the level of altropine in different parts of the brain. There are factors which are suspected to be the cause of ADHD. The factors include hereditary, chemical imbalance, and finally brain changes. Since ADHD tends to be common in families, it points at the fact that children may inherit the condition from the parents. Researchers believe that imbalance of neurotransmitters may contribute to the development of the condition. Brain changes in the areas of the brain that control attention are found to be less active in children suffering from this condition (Koelega, p. 49).

There are also other factors which may contribute to the development or even trigger the signs observed. Poor nutrition, infections, and substance abuse by the pregnant mother like taking alcohol and smoking may increase the risk of the child developing the condition because they affect the development of the fetuss brain. Exposure to heavy metals like lead and toxins during early child development may interfere with the development of the brain. Head injuries which involve the brain or brain disorders may trigger development of the condition.

New research on the causes of ADHD
New studies have indicated brain chemicals such as dopamine and dopamine gene may be involved in the development of ADHD. The studies mainly focus on the genetics of ADHD specifically on a particular variation of the DRD4 gene which makes dopamine receptor in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical which is used by nerve cells in sending signals. It is associated with many movements and mental health. Results of the study indicated that children with ADHD were more likely to have a different variation of the DRD4 as compared to those without the condition. Not all children suffering from ADHD had a variation of the gene those who had the gene had high IQ score as compared to those who did not have the gene variation. The main finding of this study was that the variation of dopamine gene is the risk factor for developing ADHD and it is also associated with better clinical outcome and high intelligence in high group of children suffering from ADHD (Douglas,  Ditto, p. 120).

ADHD is considered to be the most common mental disorder diagnosed in children. It s approximated to occur in 5 of children around the world. Prevalence rate is found to be quite high in boys as compared to girls. The problem is mostly diagnosed during the early school days when a child starts experiencing difficulties in paying attention. Although the condition is quite common in children, it can persist into teen years or up to adulthood (ADD Coach Academy, para. 3).
The signs and symptoms of real ADHD are noticed before the age of seven. It can be very daunting to differentiate between the normal behavior in a child and those exhibited because of ADHD. Noticing just a few signs or symptoms which are only exhibited in some situation should not be considered as ADHD (Koelega, p. 140). If the child demonstrate the signs of ADHD in almost all the situations at home and at school, then there is need to pay much attention to the struggles of the child. On realizing the struggles of the child like forgetfulness, and attention problems in school, then the parent can draft a solution to the problems and take advantage on the strengths of the child. Once a parent realizes these signs, he or she should start looking for what should be done instead of waiting for the diagnosis (SCIE research briefing, para. 6).

Signs and symptoms of ADHD
There is a general knowledge that children suffering from ADHD are always out of control and in constant motion, bouncing off the wall and disturbing everybody. Apart from these children being excessively active, there are some who are quite silent. Some concentrates too much on one task and find it very difficult to change to another activity. The three main symptoms of ADHD are lack of attention, hyperactivity, and unpredictability. The signs exhibited depends on which feature are quite prominent. A child can be inattentive but not hyperactive or impulsive. He she may be both hyperactive and impulsive but is able to pay attention (ADD Coach Academy, para. 5).

Research on diagnosis
The diagnostic procedure for children suspected of having ADHD should be done by a physician. Currently, there are no biological tests that can be performed to confirm the condition however, there is a range of evaluations which can be performed to make the right diagnosis of the condition. They involve complete physical examinations and study of the childs medical history. More information can be gathered from history and the nature of the child, the quality of hisher relationship, family medical history, and the childs social and academic history (Koelega, p. 185).

Although there is media speculation that the current ADHD diagnoses are not valid, medical professional groups such American Academy Medical Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry among other organizations have identified a strong scientific evidence to support the diagnostic techniques of this disorder (SCIE research briefing, para. 9). ADHD remains among the best researched conditions in psychology and the general data on it are quite appealing than any other medical condition (Douglas,  Ditto, p. 123).

Various studies have been carried out to discover the cause of the condition. The exact cause is still not very clear however, research shows that at least three parts of the brain have been linked with the condition. Research also indicates that the condition runs in the family. More than 20 genetic studies have been carried out and they all indicate that the disorder is largely inherited. Problems in parenting or life conditions may worsen or improve the condition of the disease.

Without proper diagnosis and treatment of the condition, ADHD can result in serious consequences such as school failure and drop out, depression, conduct disorder, failed relationships, underperformance in the work place, and even substance abuse. When proper intervention is given and the condition is treated, people suffering from the disorder can lead productive and satisfying lives (Koelega, p. 1485).

Multimodal treatment study of children with ADHD
The study involved elementary school boys and girls who had ADHD. The children were divided into various groups and were given various treatments. Some of the treatments given included medication management alone, behavioral treatment alone, combination of both, and finally routine community care (Danforth, Barkley,  Stokes, p. 720). The results of the treatment showed that combined treatment produced the best results. It also had a benefit of using low doses of medications as compared to those who were put on medications alone (ADD Coach Academy, para. 7).

Brain scans show ADDADHD
 The study was carried out in Boston to demonstrate that ADHD can be diagnosed through the use of radio imaging. The scan detected abnormally elevated levels of dopamine transporters in the brain in individuals who had long standing cases of ADHD. The study was featured in the prestigious British medical journal called The Lancet. The development was applauded by various doctors in the field of neurology. The findings were stated to be very significant in the diagnosis of ADHD, and demonstrated that Altropane could be very useful in determining the existence of an objective biological abnormality in ADHD.

Currently, there is a great concern amongst parents, educators, and health professionals concerning the accuracy of the todays psychosocial methods of diagnosing ADHD more so in children. Controversy also surrounds the inappropriate use of potentially addictive stimulants medication for managing the condition. If the positive results found in adult studies are used in children and gives the same results, then altropane will help eliminate the problems of diagnosis currently facing health professionals. The method will be used in diagnosis of ADHD in both students and young adults who showed signs of the condition. It can also be used to urge patients who are reluctant in starting drug therapy (SCIE research briefing, para. 10).

Altropane is a small molecule that has high affinity and specificity to bind to DAT.  Consequently, the level of altropane taken up by the brain is directly proportional to the number of DAT which is present at a particular area of the brain. For example, in Parkinsons disease, there is relatively low level of altropane at the striatal regions of the brain therefore altropane uptake is relatively very low.  The low level of atropine is the basis for BLSs diagnostic technique for Parkinsons disease (ADD Coach Academy, para. 9).

Conclusion
Although extensive research has been done and are still going on regarding ADHD, some controversies still surround the condition. The major areas which are still being researched on are diagnosis, effective treatment, and the cause of the condition. According to the studies which have been conducted, ADHD is mainly caused by hereditary, chemical imbalance in the brain, and brain changes. There is likelihood that the condition is gene related because it is found in children who have a family history of the disease. Since the disease is becoming common, there is need to educate the public so that early intervention can be sought.