ADHD Discussion: Early Detection, Adolescent Impact, and Risk Factors

This discussion post delves into Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), highlighting its characteristics, early detection methods, and potential impact on adolescents. It references research indicating that adolescents with ADHD are more prone to substance abuse, with factors like maternal drinking potentially contributing to this risk. The post emphasizes the importance of gathering information from various sources to accurately assess a child's behavior, given the absence of definitive diagnostic tests for ADHD. It concludes by reiterating that early signs of ADHD, such as impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity, can be detected in childhood through careful observation and comprehensive evaluation.

Running head: ADHD
Discussion post
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Author Note

1ADHD
ADHD refers to a disorder that makes it problematic for an individual to pay specific
attention, besides controlling impulsive behavior (Fredriksen et al., 2014). The affected
person also manifests restlessness and almost remains constantly active under all
circumstances (Cowan, 2008). Owing to the fact that the diagnosis of the condition involves
conducting an assessment of the mental and behavioral development of a child, together with
taking into consideration reports from teachers and parents, the condition can be diagnosed in
early childhood (Felt et al., 2014).
An article by Sibley et al. (2014) elaborated on the fact that adolescents suffering
from ADHD are found to display an increased likelihood of participating in substance abuse
related activities. Upon comparing the outcomes of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana between
adolescents who had been diagnosed with ADHD in their early childhood, and controls who
were demographically similar, the results indicated that ADHD affected adolescents were
more susceptible to alcohol, marijuana, and cigarette consumption in their early ages. ADHD
affected adolescents also demonstrated a 4-5 times increased likelihood of substance abuse
behavior, after consuming them once. One potential risk factor that was though to contribute
to alcohol consumption among ADHD adolescents was maternal drinking. Hence, the study
elaborated on the fact that children affected with ADHD are more prone to resort to substance
abuse in their youth.
Therefore, it can be stated that ADHD can be detected in childhood if the children
manifest impulsivity, inattention and hyperactivity in different ways. Taking into
consideration the fact there are no definite diagnostic tests for the condition, several
information needs to be gathered from a plethora of sources in order to determine the
accurate behavior of a child.

2ADHD
References
Cowan, D. (2008). What is ADHD? Is ADHD a Real Problem or Just Hype? Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz3mUHIUPTE
Felt, B. T., Biermann, B., Christner, J. G., Kochhar, P., & Harrison, R. V. (2014). Diagnosis
and management of ADHD in children. Am Fam Physician, 90(7), 456-464. Retrieved
from
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/c292/e119b91f821fc6daa417e378db7090a33b91.pdf
Fredriksen, M., Dahl, A. A., Martinsen, E. W., Klungsoyr, O., Faraone, S. V., & Peleikis, D.
E. (2014). Childhood and persistent ADHD symptoms associated with educational
failure and long-term occupational disability in adult ADHD. ADHD Attention Deficit
and Hyperactivity Disorders, 6(2), 87-99. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-014-0126-1
Sibley, M. H., Pelham Jr, W. E., Molina, B. S., Coxe, S., Kipp, H., Gnagy, E. M., ... &
Lahey, B. B. (2014). The role of early childhood ADHD and subsequent CD in the
initiation and escalation of adolescent cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use. Journal
of abnormal psychology, 123(2), 362. Retrieved from
https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0036585