Attention Deficit Disorder Wh Essay Research Paper

Attention Deficit Disorder: Wh Essay, Research Paper

Attention Deficit Disorder: What It Is And Is Not

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is commonly known as a childhood syndrome characterized by impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and a short attention span, which often leads to learning disabilities and various behavioral problems. The exact definition of ADD is, an inability to control behavior due to difficulty in processing neural stimuli (online medical dictionary). Neural pertains to nerves. There are three different levels of ADD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Inattention Disorder, and Attention Deficit Impulsive Disorder.

In my research I hope to learn what causes this behavior and how to take care of it. I also hope to learn how one would get Attention Deficit Disorder. I would like to know why one would get ADD.

I would like others to learn what ADD is, how to diagnose it, and how to cope with it. My goal is for others to know that it exists but is treatable and that an affected person can be a productive person in society. I hope they learn to understand that it is not something to laugh about and that it is a serious disorder.

Attention Deficit Disorder, in my eyes, is a disorder that one cannot control. Sometimes, it becomes so hard to hold back interruptions or impulses that it becomes embarrassing. It cannot be controlled; it is involuntary. The affected person s brain thinks it is normal so they just impulsively respond to situations. Not knowing that what they are doing is disruptive, they repeat these actions because their brain has thought this way since they were born.

ADD is a disorder that is one of the best-researched disorders. Even though it is researched in such a great degree, the cause is still unknown. However, research suggests that it is a neurobiological condition. Which is to say that it has to do with the nerves in the brain and that it is genetic. It is proven that ADD runs in the family.

The most frequently stated cause of Attention Deficit Disorder is, the involvement of the prefrontal cortex, part of the cerebellum and at least two of the clusters of the nerve cells deep in the brain known as the basal ganglia (Philip W. Long, MD). It Is determined that, the right prefrontal cortex and two basal ganglia known as the caudate nucleus and globus palliclus are smaller than usual in a child with ADD (Philip W. Long, MD). Additionally, the vermis region of the cerebellum is smaller (Philip W. Long, MD). This is understandable as the areas that are significantly smaller are those that regulate attention.

It is also stated that mutations in several genes are the reason for the reduced sections in the brain. Most researches believe that it is a polygenetic disorder, or in simpler terms, it is more than one gene contributing to the disorder.

Researchers found that ADD has a heritably drawing near eighty-percent. If a parent has ADD, the child has a fifty-percent chance of developing the disorder. Also, the siblings of a child with ADD are five to seven times more likely to have it than children from unaffected families. Research has also concluded that genes that serve as the blue print for dopamine receptors and transporters are very active in the prefrontal cortex and the basal ganglia.

A person would know they or a loved one had inattention ADD by some of the following most common symptoms: inability to pay close attention, difficulty sustaining attention in tasks, not listening when spoken to, inability to follow through on instructions, and failing to finish homework, difficulty organizing tasks and activities, avoiding engaging in tasks that require mental effort, losing necessary things for tasks or activities, easily distracted by irrelevant motivation, and forgetful in daily activities.

A person would know if they or a loved one had hyperactivity ADD by some of the following most common symptoms: fidgeting, leaving their seat in class, running about or climbing excessively, difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly, on the go a lot, and talking excessively. Lastly, if one had impulsivity they would often blurt out answers, have difficulty waiting their turn and interrupt or intrude on others. Studies show all levels of ADD are present before age seven.

Emma is a college student and was diagnosed with ADD. In her story she states, I m distractible, unorganized, impatient and I procrastinate (Terry Matlen, story 16). She doesn t look at ADD in a negative light. She feels that even though she cannot sit still through a lecture, she can write an amazing essay. Emma s creativity, intuitivism, and intelligence help her get through life. When Emma was diagnosed with ADD she was relieved. She finally felt like she knew the answer to the mistakes she made, the bad grades, and the stupid things she had said. Emma began taking medication and her life made a 360-degree turn. She was acing tests, understood lessons, could comprehend exactly what the book was saying and for the first time she was focused. She is determined to have a normal life and she states, With medicine, counseling, and a lot of support, I m going to be okay (Terry Matlen, story 16).

Terri s son, David, was tested repeatedly for different things to determine what was wrong with his behavior. Terri explains that David was dif