ADHD Psychology Essay
There are quite a lot of misconceptions on the causes of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, one of them being bad parenting. A study conducted by researchers at Cardiff University has gained no evidence supporting the behaviour of the parents towards their children having risk affects on ADHD symptoms. (Lifford & Harold et al., 2009)
ADHD is a biological and developmental disorder, and people diagnosed with ADHD have trouble paying attention, show reckless or impulsive behaviour and/or be hyperactive. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “about 1 in 10 children in the United States, 4-17 years of age, have been diagnosed with ADHD, based on parent report.” Although many children show behavioural problems at some point of time or another, it can become a serious disorder if it prolongs for a long period of time and causes difficulties for the child at home or school. (Cdc.gov, 2014)
From the various studies undertaken by the National Institute of Mental Health, it is understood that ADHD is most often a genetic disorder. In a study undertaken by the NIMH investigating the genetic causes for ADHD, it was found that about 12% of the children who have ADHD have a particular version of a specific gene that causes the brain tissue that surrounds parts of the brain responsible for attention to be thinner than normal. Furthermore, it was seen that as the brain developed, the tissue thickened, which caused a lessening in the severity of ADHD symptoms. (Nimh.nih.gov, 2013)
Moreover, another pilot study that analysed DNA samples of children with ADHD and compared them with children without the condition, found direct evidence that ADHD is a genetic condition. They found that 16% of the children with ADHD had small parts of DNA missing or duplicated, than compared to the other children. (Lifford & Harold et al., 2009).
Additionally, children who have endured traumatic brain injuries have shown to behave in ways similar to children
ADHD is a biological and developmental disorder, and people diagnosed with ADHD have trouble paying attention, show reckless or impulsive behaviour and/or be hyperactive. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “about 1 in 10 children in the United States, 4-17 years of age, have been diagnosed with ADHD, based on parent report.” Although many children show behavioural problems at some point of time or another, it can become a serious disorder if it prolongs for a long period of time and causes difficulties for the child at home or school. (Cdc.gov, 2014)
From the various studies undertaken by the National Institute of Mental Health, it is understood that ADHD is most often a genetic disorder. In a study undertaken by the NIMH investigating the genetic causes for ADHD, it was found that about 12% of the children who have ADHD have a particular version of a specific gene that causes the brain tissue that surrounds parts of the brain responsible for attention to be thinner than normal. Furthermore, it was seen that as the brain developed, the tissue thickened, which caused a lessening in the severity of ADHD symptoms. (Nimh.nih.gov, 2013)
Moreover, another pilot study that analysed DNA samples of children with ADHD and compared them with children without the condition, found direct evidence that ADHD is a genetic condition. They found that 16% of the children with ADHD had small parts of DNA missing or duplicated, than compared to the other children. (Lifford & Harold et al., 2009).
Additionally, children who have endured traumatic brain injuries have shown to behave in ways similar to children