What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a medical condition. It is caused by genetic factors that result in certain neurological differences. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder comes in a variety of forms, and there are five or six types of ADHD. In the DSM-IV Diagnostic Manual, each of these forms or “types” of ADHD fall under the diagnostic category of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The main categories are then divided into ADHD Intentional Type, or ADHD Impulsive-Hyperactive Type, or ADHD Combined Type. In the past, the terms “attention deficit disorder” with or without hyperactivity were also commonly used. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder comes in different forms, and indeed, no two ADD or ADHD children are exactly the same. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can affect one, two, or many areas of the brain, resulting in many different “styles” or “profiles” of children (and adults) with ADHD. These different profiles affect performance in these four areas: First, attention problems.
Second, problems with the lack of impulse control.
Third, problems with excessive activity or motor impairment,
Fourth, a problem that has not yet been found in the “official” problem in the diagnostic guidelines, but it should be: easily bored. Some of the other important characteristics of this disorder are: 1) It is found not only in school, but in most situations. When the problem only appears at home, we may wonder if the child is probably indifferent, or if the child is only compatible with the parent; 2) that problems are evident before seven years (7). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is considered to be a neurologically based disorder, so we would expect that a person with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder would have been born with the disorder unless he or she received his or her symptoms from a head injury. Even if the disorder is not a problem until school work is more demanding up to second or third grade, one would expect at least some of the symptoms to be noticed before the age of seven. One out of every twenty people, children and adults have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a significant problem for these people and their families. Learn more about the different types of ADHD and visit the family of ADHD information library web sites.