HISTORY AND EPIDEMIOLOGY



It is impossible to pinpoint exactly the earliest time when ADHD came into existence, or part another way, when it was readily recorded by the medical profession. The most reliable testimony was first recorded in 1845 by Heinrich Hoffman who had noticed his son had exhibited certain symptoms.

It is impossible to pinpoint exactly the earliest time when ADHD came into existence, or part another way, when it was readily recorded by the medical profession. The most reliable testimony was first recorded in 1845 by Heinrich Hoffman who had noticed his son had exhibited certain symptoms. Because of this, Hoffman created a poem called "The Story of Fidgety Philip" which served as an accurate account of the symptoms of ADHD.

In 1902, Sir George F Still published a series of lectures for viewing and academic study concerning the issue of ADHD, stating that a child with ADHD had a genetic dysfunction, which caused impulsiveness with the child, general hostility and made the child unruly and difficult to discipline.

Approximately 3-5% of all children across the globe who are currently at preschool age currently have ADHD, and according to one recent study, almost 14% of all the children suffering from different psychological disorders are diagnosed with ADHD. Statistically, males are more predisposed to contracting ADHD than females.

ETIOLOGY OF ADHD

ADHD is classed as a developmental neurological disorder due to the fact that is genetically influenced, and inheritable, 20% of all ADHD children are not genetically predisposed which means that the ADHD has subsequently been caused by result of a trauma to the head or exposure to some toxin. It is imperative to note that any complications during the course of a pregnancy or indeed the actual birth itself will very heavily influence the development whether it is actual or potential of ADHD.

Premature births, as well as smoking and or drinking alcohol during pregnancy are all major factors in the course of development of ADHD.

DISORDERS FREQUENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH ADHD

Sadly, a child suffering from ADHD has to bear the burden of not only dealing with ADHD, but other associated depression in child with adhd and conditions all of which can take a major toll on the child. The following is a list of some of the most commonly encountered symptom of adhd in child

1. LEARNING DISABILITIES: 20-30% of children with ADHD are reported to have learning disabilities, however it should be noted that because of the very nature of ADHD means that learning is limited, so if a child struggles with reading writing or other areas of study this should not present too grave a concern.

2. TOURETTE SYNDROME: A small percentage of children with ADHD will have Tourette syndrome as well, a disorder manifested by a number of different tics and twitches, with facial tics the most commonly observed.

3. OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER: Between 33-50% of all children who suffer from ADHD will also suffer another associated disorder known as Oppositional defiant disorder. This means that these children will be difficult to control and discipline, will often clash with authority figures and will generally be unruly.

4. CONDUCT DISORDER: Roughly 30-45% of children who suffer from ADHD wil develop Conduct disorders, meaning that behavior becomes sporadic and inappropriate, with poor impulse control and a propensity to physical aggression.

5. DYSLEXIA: This is a reading disorder, which hinders and retards the ability of a child with ADHD to properly appreciate and distinguish between similar sounding letters and words. Problems grasping and understanding basic arithmetic and similar looking letters like b,d,m,n,g,q,p are common.

6. ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION: Anxiety and depression tend to manifest themselves when the child with ADHD subsequently attends school, due to a feeling of inferiority and frustration in comparison with their academic abilities as opposed to those of their peers. Usually starts when the child living with ADHD starts going to school. Inability to read, write and compete with other students makes him depressive and anti social.

7. BIPOLAR DISORDER: There is not a great deal of reliable information that exists for this, though in some cases, bipolar disorder is present in classical form in some patients suffering from ADHD.