Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

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Imagine living in a fast-moving kaleidoscope, where sounds, images, and thoughts are
constantly shifting. Feeling easily bored, yet helpless to keep your mind on tasks you
need to complete. Distracted by unimportant sights and sounds, your mind drives you
from one thought or activity to the next. Perhaps you are so wrapped up in a collage of
thoughts and images that you don't notice when someone speaks to you.
"Tommy can't sit still. He is disruptive at school with his constant talking and clowning
around. He leaves the classroom without the teacher's permission. Although he has
above-average intelligence, Tommy has trouble reading and writing. When he talks, the
words come out so fast no one understands him" (Rees, 1994). For many people, this is
what it's like to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. They may be
unable to sit still, plan ahead, finish tasks, or be fully aware of what's going on around
them. To their family, classmates or coworkers, they seem to exist in a whirlwind of
disorganized or frenzied activity. Unexpectedly--on some days and in some situations--
they seem fine, often leading others to think the person with ADHD can actually control
these behaviors. As a result, the disorder can mar the person's relationships with others in
addition to disrupting their daily life, consuming energy, and diminishing self-esteem.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) comes from the standard diagnostic
reference of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). ADHD is a diagnosis applied
to children and adults who consistently display certain characteristic
Understanding ADHD 4.
behaviors over a period of time. Hyperactivity has no single known cause and is
therefore classified as a syndrome because it has a cluster of symptoms. It is generally
characterized by excessive motor activity, short attention span, and impulsive behavior
for a child's age. The most common behavio...