Diagnosing ADHD in Children Complicated
Diagnosing ADHD in Children Complicated
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder
associated with inattention and/or hyperactivity or impulsivity. It is
estimated that 4.4 million youth between that ages of 4 and 17 years have
been diagnosed with this disorder. The criteria for diagnosing ADHD can
be complicated, as it requires that children have 6 or more symptoms of
inattention or 6 or more symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity for at
least 6 months. Treatment includes medication, behavioral therapy, or a
combination.
Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in the number
of prescriptions written for ADHD. Although the cause of this rapid
increase is unknown, research has shown that a combination of therapy
and medication is the most effective treatment. However, it has also been
noted that the long term effects of ADHD treatments are unknown. Additionally,
the literature suggests that there are many conditions that are
commonly associated with ADHD, such as Defiant Disorder, which further
complicate treatment. Individualized treatment is used to help those
with ADHD overcome difficulties associated with this condition.