ADHD: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Management

This article provides an in-depth discussion on ADHD, including its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and management. It highlights the importance of early detection and offers recommendations for managing ADHD in children and adolescents.

Running head: ADHD
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

1
ADHD
Table of Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................2
Discussion:.................................................................................................................................2
Symptoms and Causes:..........................................................................................................2
Diagnosis:...............................................................................................................................4
Management:..........................................................................................................................5
Recommendation:..................................................................................................................6
Conclusion:................................................................................................................................7

2
ADHD
Introduction:
The number of children being diagnosed with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
or ADHD has increased in recent years. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is defined as
a psychological disorder usually observed in the children in which they are inattentive,
hyperactive and impulsive (Tong et al. 2016). While ADHD is quite common in adults in
Australia, it is mostly observed in infants and children. While an estimated 6.4 million
children of 4 to 17 years in Australia have been diagnosed with ADHD, less than 20% of
these individuals seek help from health professionals (Zayats et al. 2019). Approximately
41.3% of adults with ADHD are considered as severe cases. ADHD is more common in men
compared to women (Ghosh et al. 2016). In Australian while, 12.9% of the male has been
diagnosed with ADHD compared to 4.9% of female (Sciberras et al. 2017). Hence it is
crucial to managing the signs and symptoms of ADHD in order to reduce the global burden
of disease. This paper will illustrate Symptoms and Causes, Triggers, Diagnosis,
Management, Recommendation in the following paragraphs.
Discussion:
Symptoms and Causes:
As discussed by Brett et al. (2017), inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsive
behaviour is not common behaviour for children and adolescents. However, children and
adolescents with ADHD frequently show these behaviours in their lifespan. The common
signs and symptoms of ADHD include impulsiveness, trouble in multitasking, restlessness,
poor planning, and low tolerance of frustration, aggression, fidgeting, boredom, depression,
and disability (Moore et al. 2017). The inattentive infants may experience trouble in listening

3
ADHD
to School, may have short attention plans (Moore et al. 2017). They may also experience
difficulties in staying focus and being frequent forgetful. In the severity of ADHD, the signs
and symptoms may vary from children to children. While some children may more be
influenced and exhibit behaviour of inattentiveness, day dream, other children may show
more impulsive behaviour and hyperactivity in their schools.
The causes of ADHD are not fully understood but researchers showed the evidence
that ADHD is not the single factorial disease. Sayal et al. (2018), reported that genes play a
massive role in the development of ADHD. As discussed by Sawye et al. (2017), in the children
and adolescents with ADHD, the chemical neurotransmitter dopamine transported differently
in nerve cells of the hippocampus of the brain. The hippocampus of the brain is part of the
limbic system which lies next to the medial temporal lobe and is associated with the learning
and memory function. However, some experts argued that ADHD is also influenced by
society and exposure to lead (Sciberras et al. 2017) . There is also a possible link between
ADHD and low birth weight and related problems such as lack of oxygen at birth. Hence,
genetics, as well as psychological factors both, play a massive role in the development of
ADHD.
Triggers:
While ADHD is not a curable disorder, it can be managed in order to prevalence.
Researchers have identified an array of common triggers that induce the development of
ADHD. The triggers include stress, lack of sleep, additives, overstimulation’s, certain foods.
1. Stress:
The stress often triggers ADHD episodes, especially in adults. ADHD may cause a
perpetual state of stress where individuals are unable to focus and eliminate external stimuli.
This stress may be reflected as aggression, violence, frustration in children. The induction of

4
ADHD
ADHD symptoms affects the academic performance of children because of poor
concentration (Prosser, Lambert and Reid 2015).
2. Lack of Sleep:
Another possible trigger of ADHD is the lack of adequate sleep. Too little sleep may induce
hyperactivity and decline in the reaction time, focus and performance (Moore et al. 2017). .
3. Foods and additives:
Certain foods additives often induce the symptoms of ADHD. The nutrition containing
artificial colors and additives more likely to induce abnormal behavior.
4. Overstimulation:
The overstimulation such as concert hall, amusement part, and busy supermarkets
may trigger the symptoms of ADHD (Prosser, Lambert and Reid 2015). Children who spent the
majority of the time in front of technology such as mobile phone or computer and TV often
experience ADHD. Therefore, it is crucial to detect the signs and symptoms of ADHD for
the early management of ADHD.
Diagnosis:
In order to detect the symptoms and signs of ADHD, no single test used. The
physician only diagnosis children or adolescents after they exhibit certain symptoms
frequently for months or more than six months. The diagnosis of ADHD is quite difficult. A
different number of health professionals are referred for the children who exhibited typical
signs and symptoms of ADHD for more than six months (Marazziti et al. 2016). Health
professionals such as paediatricians, child psychologist, and psychiatrists can diagnose
ADHD. Some physicians may suggest a period of observation for 10 weeks in order to

5
ADHD
diagnosis whether the child has ADHD or not. Then physicians collect the common
medical histories such as a family history of ADHD, when symptoms started, where the
symptoms started, significant previous events and other coexisting health issues (Fabio and
Capri 2017.). This diagnosis usually directly by DSM V which provide health professionals to
gain the understanding of the persistent pattern of signs and symptoms of ADHD in patients
(Bruno et al. 2017).
• Physical examination:
To diagnose ADHD, the children receive a physical examination of different
anatomy. The screening of vision and hearing assessments are done to detect whether the
symptoms are for ADHD or for other health issues.
• ECG based assessment:
The FDA has approved the use of EEG-Based Assessment Aid (NEBA) System, a
non-invasive scan is used for detecting the symptoms and signs of ADHD. In the assessment,
the scan measures theta and beta brain waves (Prosser, Lambert and Reid 2015). The beta to theta
ratio is higher in children with ADHD compared to the children without the symptoms of
ADHD.
• Behavioural rating scales are also used for detecting ADHD signs and symptoms.
Management:
In order to manage the symptoms of ADHD an array of pharmacological and non-
pharmacological interventions. The interventions are the following:
• Behavioural therapy:

6
ADHD
The patients receive intensive behavioural therapy in order to improve the signs and
symptoms of ADHD. These behavioural therapies are given to the patients with the aim of
improving, concentrations, reducing hyperactivity, improved social skills, relationship with
family members and academic performance (Sawye et a.l 2017). The effective behavioural
include parental training in individuals as well as group-based format. The treatment often
provides positive parenting strategies to implement in the parental practice and reduce
disruptive behaviour of children. The session involves 12 weeks and has shown evidence of
improving behaviour children and high satisfaction of children.
Classroom-Based therapy is another effective behavioural therapy which provides
positive teaching strategies to improve the health conditions of the children in order to
improve the academic performance of the children with ADHD (Marazziti et al. 2016). This
therapy focuses on the improvement of class routines, daily monitoring the behaviour of
children and their progression. The peer interventions include social skill training and adults
mediated improved social training.
Pharmacological interventions:
Psycho-stimulants:
Psycho-stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, alpha-agonist
guanfacine and noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor atomoxetine can be given to the patients
according to the health condition. These drugs improve the temporary increase of
psychomotor activity by changing the pathways of dopamine. Therefore, children exhibit
excellent improvement of performance, attention and reduced hyperactivity (Zayats et al.
2019).

7
ADHD
Recommendation:
Considering the signs and symptoms of ADHD, the recommendation is the following:
• It is recommended to involve children and adolescents in activities such as relaxing
activities, such as yoga, meditation, and exercise.
• It is recommended to adequate sleep of 7 to 8 hours of sleep to reduce the triggers
• It is recommended to consume nutrition such as vitamin B, fatty acids and magnesium.
Any nutrition that induces allergic reaction should be avoided (Zayats et al. 2019).
• It is recommended to involve in behavioural therapies such as parenting session and
classroom sessions.
• It is recommended to allow adequate personal space to improve the health conditions of
the children. Moreover, it is recommended to avoid crowded place such as restaurants, busy
supermarkets, and high traffics.
• It is recommended to spend more time with families rather than with technologies.
Conclusion:
Thus it can be concluded that ADHD is a disorder usually observed in the children of
4 to 17 years and disrupts the normal development. The children usually show symptoms
such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsive. The other symptoms include
impulsiveness, trouble in multitasking, restlessness, poor planning, and low tolerance of
frustration, aggression, fidgeting, boredom, depression, and disability. The research
highlighted that in patients with ADHD the chemical neurotransmitter dopamine transported
differently in nerve cells of the hippocampus of the brain which further contributed to
ADHD. The common triggers of ADHD include stress, lack of sleep, additives,
overstimulation’s, certain foods. For conducting successful diagnosis, ECG based
assessment, behavioural rating scales and physical assessment along with observation can be
conducted. The patients receive intensive behaviour therapy in order to improve the signs and

8
ADHD
symptoms of ADHD. The other therapies include group based therapy and classroom therapy.
The patients are also provided with psychostimulants to improve health conditions.

9
ADHD
References:
Tong, J., Lee, K.M., Liu, X., Nefzger, C.M., Vijayakumar, P., Hawi, Z., Pang, K.C., Parish,
C.L., Polo, J.M. and Bellgrove, M.A., 2019. Generation of four iPSC lines from peripheral
blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
individual and a healthy sibling in an Australia-Caucasian family. Stem cell research, 34,
p.101353.
Zayats, T., Burton, C., Medland, S.E., Xiao, B., Crosbie, J., Arnold, P., Schachar, R.,
Johansson, S., Neale, B. and Haavik, J., 2019. Genetics of Adhd Dimensions. European
Neuropsychopharmacology, 29, pp.S759-S760.
Ghosh, M., Fisher, C., Preen, D.B. and Holman, C.A.J., 2016. “It has to be fixed”: a
qualitative inquiry into perceived ADHD behaviour among affected individuals and parents
in Western Australia. BMC health services research, 16(1), p.141.
Sciberras, E., Lucas, N., Efron, D., Gold, L., Hiscock, H. and Nicholson, J.M., 2017. Health
care costs associated with parent-reported ADHD: a longitudinal Australian population–
based study. Journal of attention disorders, 21(13), pp.1063-1072.
Brett, J., Karanges, E.A., Daniels, B., Buckley, N.A., Schneider, C., Nassir, A., Zoega, H.,
McLachlan, A.J. and Pearson, S.A., 2017. Psychotropic medication use in Australia, 2007 to
2015: Changes in annual incidence, prevalence and treatment exposure. Australian & New
Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 51(10), pp.990-999.
Moore, E., Sunjic, S., Kaye, S., Archer, V. and Indig, D., 2016. Adult ADHD among NSW
prisoners: prevalence and psychiatric comorbidity. Journal of attention disorders, 20(11),
pp.958-967.
Sayal, K., Prasad, V., Daley, D., Ford, T. and Coghill, D., 2018. ADHD in children and
young people: prevalence, care pathways, and service provision. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(2),
pp.175-186.

10
ADHD
Sawyer, M.G., Reece, C.E., Sawyer, A.C., Johnson, S., Lawrence, D. and Zubrick, S.R.,
2017. The prevalence of stimulant and antidepressant use by Australian children and
adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and major depressive disorder: A
national survey. Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology, 27(2), pp.177-184.
Sciberras, E., Lucas, N., Efron, D., Gold, L., Hiscock, H. and Nicholson, J.M., 2017. Health
care costs associated with parent-reported ADHD: a longitudinal Australian population–
based study. Journal of attention disorders, 21(13), pp.1063-1072.
Prosser, B., Lambert, M.C. and Reid, R., 2015. Psychostimulant Prescription for ADHD in
New South Wales: a longitudinal perspective. Journal of attention disorders, 19(4), pp.284-
292.
Marazziti, D., Mucci, F., Vanelli, F., Renda, N., Baroni, S. and Piccinni, A., 2017.
Prevalence of Internet addiction: A pilot study in a group of Italian students. European
Psychiatry, 41, p.S248.
Fabio, R.A. and Caprì, T., 2017. The executive functions in a sample of Italian adults with
ADHD: attention, response inhibition and planning/organization. Mediterranean Journal of
Clinical Psychology, 5(3).
Bruno, A., Scimeca, G., Cava, L., Pandolfo, G., Zoccali, R.A. and Muscatello, M.R., 2014.
Prevalence of internet addiction in a sample of southern Italian high school
students. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 12(6), pp.708-715.

11
ADHD