ADHD Discussion
Student’s Name
Institution
Date
NU-664C-04-19PCFA:
Week 14: Group-Facilitated Discussion 1
ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that
originates in childhood with symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention.
These symptoms occur in more than one setting and affect cognitive, academic,
behavioral, emotional, and social functioning. ADHD affects up to 5 to 8 percent of
school-aged children with 60 to 85 percent of those diagnosed in childhood continuing
to meet criteria for the disorder in adolescence, and up to 60 percent as adults (Sadock,
Sadock, & Ruiz, 2015, p. 1169). The neurotransmitters targeted in treatment are
dopamine and norepinephrine. The areas of the brain implicated are the dorsolateral
prefrontal cortex, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex. Children with
ADHD generally cannot activate the prefrontal cortex areas appropriately in response to
cognitive tasks of attention and executive functioning (Stahl, 2013, p.475).
Resources
Please read the following article:
Complementary and Alternative Treatments for ADHD: What the Evidence Suggests
https://eds-a-ebscohost-com.regiscollege.idm.oclc.org/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?
vid=6&sid=713ea465-df9e-4ef8-a1bb-c483c5bf9ea1%40sdc-v-sessmgr02
Please review these sections in your texts:
Yearwood, E.L., Pearson, G.S., & Newland, J.A. (2012).>Child and adolescent
behavioral health. Sussex, UK: Whiley-Blackwell.>Chapter 7
Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2014).>Synopsis of psychiatry>(11th ed.).
London, England: Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins.>Pages 1169-1180
Please watch the following videos
Childhood ADHD: What are the signs and symptoms?
R
M
L : 0%
4:02
P : 0%
-0:00
https://youtu.be/H6LQ-BFigFA
Stimulants Vs NonStimulants: Understanding ADHD Medications
P
M
L : 0%
0:17
P : 0%
-1:53
https://youtu.be/xqnoKgi0PuI
Discussion Prompts
1.>>>> Does treatment for ADHD depend on the persons weight, severity of the ADHD, or gender?
2.>>>> What are CAM therapies and who would be appropriate for using them?
3.>>>> What are some complications for adulthood if ADHD is not properly recognized and treated
early?
Tasha Lewis-Stevens, Hardai Seemongal, Jennifer Sizemore, Amy Wallen
References
Lake, J., & Sarris, J. (2019).>Complementary and alternative treatments for ADHD: What the
evidence suggests.>Psychiatric Times,>36(10), 39–41. Retrieved
from>https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ssf&AN=139085197&site=eds-live
Sadock, B.J., Sadock, V.A., & Ruiz, P. (2015).>Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry: Behavior
sciences/clinical psychiatry((11th>ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
Stahl, S.M. (2013).>Stahl’s essential psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical
applications((4th>ed.). Cambridge CB2 8BS, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
Yearwood, E.L., Pearson, G.S., & Newland, J.A. (2012).>Child and adolescent behavioral health.
Sussex, UK: Whiley-Blackwell.>Chapter 7
Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2014).>Synopsis of psychiatry>(11th ed.). London, England:
Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins.>Pages 1169-1180
(
1. Does treatment for ADHD depend on the person’s weight, severity of the ADHD, or
gender?
As revealed in the video entitled “Stimulants Vs No stimulants Understanding ADHD Medications”,
nothing predicts the best medication for ADHD. It is revealed that no weight, not height, gender,
ethnicity or severity of ADHD symptoms predicts the kind of medications to administer. This means that
the treatment of ADHD does not depend on the person’s weight, severity of the ADHD or gender. The
only way of predicting is through experimentation and patience. That is why 70% can respond to
stimulants while 20% respond to non-stimulants.
2. What are CAM therapies and who would be appropriate for using them?
CAM therapies are alternative therapies for ADHD which are mainly in form of nutritional supplements
such as the use of essential fatty acids (EFA). There is no specific person who should use CAM
specifically. In fact, the only criteria for determining who would be appropriate for using them is through
trial and experimentation. This is because the current studies show inconsistencies in results of using the
CAM (Lake & Sarris, 2019). It is up to the mother or caregiver to work with the psychotherapists in
determining which CAM therapy works for the child. This shows that children with ADHD must adhere to
long-term formal treatment, which can usually return to normal children's attention levels. Parents
should be alert to non-formal institutions that blindly advocate prescriptions, secret recipes, or
supplements to avoid compromising their children's illness.
3. What are some complications for adulthood if ADHD is not properly recognized and
treated early?
In the case of adults, the signs of ADHD may no longer be signs, they become symptoms. The adult
will feel the dysfunction even if externally it is not observable. It is not strange to hear that adults with
ADHD-A feel that they need more effort to achieve the same results as other people, or that ideas flow
in their minds without seeming to be sorted, that they feel a great desire to move inside when they
must remain still and attentive, etc.
The symptoms that these patients usually present are the difficulty for the organization of tasks,
poor time management or the inability to maintain attention in activities that require sustained mental
effort. These patients also have a very marked impulsiveness and great difficulty in emotional regulation,
which causes them problems and difficulties in social, work or personal environments (Sadock, Sadock &
Ruiz 2015). In addition, these problems are usually accompanied by other disorders such as anxiety,
depression or addictions, not only to substances, but also to the additions known as behavioral such as
gambling, addiction to food or shopping. In general, they are a person with severe difficulties to be able
to have a functional life due to all these symptoms (Stahl, 2013).
Likewise, as different international studies show in relation to traffic accidents, the percentage of
accidents in these patients is higher than in the general population. Inattention and impulsivity mean
they can skip directions, go faster than allowed or have disputes and conflicts with other people or even
with the authorities (Sadock, Sadock & Ruiz, 2014). In addition, if ADHD is accompanied by substance use,
the risk of accidents or other problems is multiplied, so diagnosis and treatment is a priority in these
people. The same goes for criminal acts, people with ADHD have a very marked impulsiveness that
sometimes leads them to perform actions that they have not really planned but, having difficulties to
control themselves, can get to commit them.
References
Lake, J., & Sarris, J. (2019).Complementary and alternative treatments for ADHD: What the evidence
suggests.Psychiatric Times,36(10), 39–41. Retrieved fromhttps://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=ssf&AN=139085197&site=eds-live
Sadock, B.J., Sadock, V.A., & Ruiz, P. (2015).Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry: Behavior
sciences/clinical psychiatry(11thed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
Stahl, S.M. (2013).Stahl’s essential psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical
applications(4thed.). Cambridge CB2 8BS, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
Yearwood, E.L., Pearson, G.S., & Newland, J.A. (2012).Child and adolescent behavioral health. Sussex, UK:
Whiley-Blackwell.Chapter 7
Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2014).Synopsis of psychiatry(11th ed.). London, England:
Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins.Pages 1169-1180
Post 1:
What are some complications for adulthood if ADHD is not properly recognized and treated early?
Any disease or any mental condition if not attended properly at an early age can have negative
outcomes in adultness. this is a widespread truth in> medicine or in any other field, taking early steps
to solve problems can reduce or lower other complicated or enhanced negative situations in the
future (Sörös et al., 2019).
In the specific case of ADHD, a adults, they can sometimes fall behind the curve and don’t always
catch up. Children who receive ADHD treatment can slow down and focus enough to participate in
therapy and learn critical skills and coping strategies to manage ADHD into adulthood>(Sörös et al.,
2019).
However, various> empirical papers have reported an association between attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and facets of entrepreneurship. Despite the fact that much
research has documented that adults with ADHD often are impaired in the occupational domain and
have difficulties maintaining full-time employment, these recent papers state that entrepreneurship
may represent an attractive occupational option for adults with ADHD.> Also. adults with ADHD who
are entrepreneurs anecdotally report that ADHD , symptoms and traits linked to ADHD might be
beneficial, not impairing (Antshel, 2018).
Milllenet et al (2018) conducted a study on sex specific trajectories of ADHD symptoms from
adolescence to young adulthood. and found that with the self-reports of participants that symptoms
that young> adults with a childhood diagnosis of ADHD are influenced by sex. Specifically, females
with childhood ADHD report increased levels of ADHD symptoms upon reaching adulthood. The
researchers
suggested that to evaluate symptoms and impairments, other more objective neurological measures
should be researched.
>References
>
Antshel, K. M. (2018). Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Entrepreneurship.
Academy of Management Perspectives, 32(2), 243–265.>https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2016.0144
Millenet, S., Laucht, M., Hohm, E., Jennen-Steinmetz, C., Hohmann, S., Schmidt, M. H., … Zohsel,
K. (2018). Sex-specific trajectories of ADHD symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood.
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 27(8), 1067–1075.>https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-018-
1129-9
Sörös, P., Hoxhaj, E., Borel, P., Sadohara, C., Feige, B., Matthies, S., … Philipsen, A. (2019).
Hyperactivity/restlessness is associated with increased functional connectivity in adults with ADHD:
a dimensional analysis of resting state fMRI. BMC Psychiatry, 19(1),
43.>https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2031-9
Response:
Reply 1 Jose Vergara
I acknowledge that without guidance and proper treatment of ADHD during the early age
can result to serious complications in adultness. Sure, if ADHD goes untreated then it is more
likely to cause relationship problems. Most people with untreated ADHD tend to experience
high rates of divorce because of low self-esteem and depression. Furthermore, children with
untreated ADHD face a lot of problems in schools due to lack of proper concentration. The wide
spread truth in medicine is that ADHD needs to be addressed and treated early to avoid negative
outcomes in adultness. Some research shows that children and adolescents with untreated ADHD
often become more impulsive. In the same way, the issue could raise weird and dangerous
behaviors in teenagers such as smoking, drinking, and risky sexual choices.
However, it is essential for all grownups with ADHD to have treatment for the problem. It
is true that as age catches up some symptoms may fade but ADHD remains to be a lifelong
problem. Research suggests that adults with untreated ADHD are often impaired in the
occupational domain. I mean, they are more likely to suffer employment problems and accepting
criticism calmly. The recent research shows that females with untreated childhood ADHD have
high levels of ADHD symptoms in the adulthood stage. Finally, for proper evaluation of
symptoms and impairments of ADHD, more objectives neurological measures need to be
researched.
References
Goksoyr, P. K., & Nottestad, J. A. (2008). The burden of untreated ADHD among adults: the
role of stimulant medication. Additive Behaviors, 33(2), 342-346.
Hermann, B., Jones, J., Dabbs, K., Allen, C. A., Sheth, R., Fine, J., … & Seidenberg, M. (2007).
The frequency, complications and aetiology of ADHD in new onset paediatric epilepsy. Brain,
130(12), 3135-3148.
Ghanizadeh, A., Mohammadi, M. R., & Moini, R. (2008). Comorbidity of psychiatric disorders
in a sample of Iranian children with ADHD. Journal of attention Disorders, 12(2), 149-155.
Post 2:
Julia McVay
Does treatment for ADHD depend on the persons weight, severity of the ADHD, or gender?
According to Yearwood, Pearson, and Newland (2012) treatment for ADHD can be dependent on
the age of the child and the severity of symptoms. Another factor that can effect the treatment is
family stability and support.>Symptoms>of ADHD may present differently in boys and>girls. Research
has>shown that boys with ADHD usually show externalized symptoms, such as running and
impulsivity>(Kinman, 2012). Girls with ADHD typically show internalized symptoms. These symptoms
include inattentiveness and low self-esteem. Boys also tend to be more physically aggressive, while
girls tend to be more verbally aggressive>(Kinman, 2012).
>
2.>>>> What are CAM therapies and who would be appropriate for using them?
Complementary and alternative medicine is defined as a group of diverse medical and healthcare
systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional
medicine (Drews, 2019). Some possibilities for CAM therapy include cognitive training,
neurofeedback, dietary therapy (such as restricted elimination diet), polyunsaturated fatty acids,
amino acids, minerals, herbal therapy, homeopathy, and physical activity. According to Catala-Lopez
et al. (2017), more research is needed before recommending CAM therapies to children and
adolescents with ADHD. However, a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise should be stressed
for all children and adolescents.
>
3.>>>> What are some complications for adulthood if ADHD is not properly recognized and treated
early?
Untreated ADHD can pose a tremendous amount of psychological, financial, academic, and social
burden to the individual. Untreated ADHD during childhood is a risk factor for later adult mental
health issues, which extend beyond deficiencies in academics. According to Hamed, Kauer, and
Stevens (2015), untreated ADHD also impairs social and occupational functioning and increases the
risk of developing comorbid disorders like anxiety, depression, personality disorders, antisocial
behaviors, and substance use disorder.
References
Catalá-López, F., Hutton, B.,>Núñez-Beltrán, A., Page, M. J.,>Ridao, M.,>Macías>Saint-Gerons, D., …
Moher, D. (2017). The pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: A systematic review with network meta-analyses
of>randomized>trials.>Plos(One,(12(7).>https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180355
Drews, R. E. (2019).>Complementary and alternative medicine treatments. UpToDate. Retrieved
from>https://www.uptodate.com/contents/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-treatments-cam-
for-cancer-beyond-the-basics
Hamed, A. M.,>Kauer, A. J., & Stevens, H. E. (2015). Why the diagnosis of attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder>matters.>Frontiers in(Psychiatry,>6, 168.>doi:>10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00168
Kinman, T. (2012). Gender differences in ADHD symptoms. Healthline. Retrieved
from>https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/adhd-symptoms-in-girls-and-boys
Yearwood, E.L., Pearson, G.S., & Newland, J.A. (2012).>Child and adolescent behavioral health.
Sussex, UK: Whiley-Blackwell.
>
Response 2:
Reply 2 Julia MCVay
It is true that the scores of age, sex and weight serve a continuous measure for ADHD
treatment. In the same way, family stability and support is another essential factor that can affect
the treatment of ADHD. I concur, that symptoms of ADHD tend to avail differently in girls and
boys. Sure, boys with ADHD suffer from symptoms such as running and impulsivity
characterized to be external. Another thing, it is true that girls with ADHD present internalized
symptoms such as low self-esteem and inattentiveness. Some of the symptom symbolized by
boys is that they are often physically aggressive whereas girls are always more verbally
aggressive.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine is a treatment that is often used along with
standard treatments. It usually include practices such as tai chi, acupuncture, drinking green tea,
and massage. Equally, the possibility of CAM therapy feature cognitive training, dietary therapy,
homeopathy, and herbal therapy. Complementary therapies typically take holistic approach in
children and adolescents. This means that, more research is essentially needed before
recommending CAM therapies.
ADHD can have severe complications to adulthood if not recognized and treated early. Sure,
it can cause an exceptional amount of academic, financial, and psychological burden to an
individual. Untreated ADHD increase the risk of developing disorders such as depression,
anxiety, and personality disorders. Likewise, it also impairs occupational and social functioning
of an individual.
References
Weiss, G., & Hechtman, L. T. (1993). Hyperactive children grown up: ADHD in children,
adolescents, and adults. Guilford Press.
DuPaul, G. J., Power, T. J., Anastopoulos, A. D., & Reid, R. (1998). ADHD Rating Scale IV:
Checklists, norms, and clinical interpretation. Guilford Press.
Castle, L., Aubert, R. E., Verbrugge, R. R., Khalid, M., & Epstein, R.S.(2007). Trends in
medication treatment for ADHD. Journal of attention disorders, 10(4), 335-342.
