Attention Hyperactive Disorder

8 Pages 1913 Words

cover a variety of symptoms and to classify the disorder more appropriately. When ADD was used it was often accompanied with the words, "with Hyperactivity, without Hyperactivity, or Residual Type". In 1987, the terminology was changed to the letters ADHD, which is what it is now to include Hyperactivity in the title. In this disorder, there are certain subcategories that were distinguished in 1994, such as the following: Predominantly Inattentive Type, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, Combined Type (Bramer, 1996). However, for the purpose of explaining the illness as a whole, ADHD will be sufficient.
When the term ADHD is heard, many things jump into one’s mind. "That kid shouldn’t have so much sugar," or "He shouldn’t be sitting in front of that television all day long." The truth is that research (1995) has shown that there are many myths about the causes of ADHD. These myths include too much or too little sugar in a child’s diet, food coloring or additives, lack of vitamins, television, fluorescent lighting, video games and allergies. Another myth is that this disorder is found only in children. Although symptoms do fade as children grow into adolescence, there are cases of adults plagued with this burden (Baren, 1995). Studies show (1998) that 33% of individuals with ADHD diagnosed in childhood still have the criteria for the disorder in adulthood, and 20% will emerge with an antisocial disorder. The hyperactivity may diminish greatly with age, but ...