| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | | | | Colombia, researchers have been able to |
| (ADHD) is characterized by behavioral and | | | | describe specific genetic aspects of ADHD. |
| learning disorders & particularly by a | | | | |
| persistent pattern of inattention or | | | | Brain Damage: While the majority of ADHD is |
| hyperactivity, as well as forgetfulness, poor | | | | believed to be genetic in nature, around |
| impulse control or impulsivity, and | | | | one-fifth of all ADHD cases were considered |
| distractibility. It is a condition in which | | | | to be acquired after conception due to brain |
| it is hard for children to control their | | | | injury caused by either toxins or physical |
| behavior and/or pay attention & was first | | | | trauma prenatally or postnatally. Some |
| described by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman in the year | | | | children who have suffered accidents leading |
| 1845. While a section of scientific society | | | | to brain injury may show some signs of |
| is contentious about its existence & prefers | | | | behavior similar to that of ADHD. |
| to call it a "fictitious disease"; some | | | | |
| recent research suggests that ADHD does | | | | Alcohol & Tobacco: Various studies have shown |
| exist. | | | | a possible correlation between the use of |
| | | | cigarettes and alcohol during pregnancy and |
| This condition becomes apparent in some | | | | risk for ADHD in the offspring of that |
| children in the preschool and early school | | | | pregnancy. This could be related to the fact |
| years. It is one of the most common | | | | that nicotine is known to cause lack of |
| behavioral disorders in childhood & its | | | | oxygen - hypoxia, in the uterus. |
| prevalence is estimated to be between 5-7 | | | | |
| percent & approximately 2 million children in | | | | The principal characteristics of ADHD are |
| the United States are suspected to have ADHD. | | | | inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. |
| About 60% of children diagnosed with ADHD | | | | These symptoms appear early in a child's |
| retain the symptoms & as a result, over the | | | | life. Everyone wants his/her kids to graduate |
| past decade, ADHD has been increasingly | | | | from Harvard. But kids are kids after all & |
| diagnosed in adults. | | | | many normal children may show these symptoms |
| | | | at one or the other time. Parents shouldn't |
| Over the last few decades, various theories | | | | just hastily assume that as ADHD & force |
| have been hypothesized about the causes and | | | | their kids to pop in ADHD drugs impulsively! |
| effects of ADHD some of which have been | | | | |
| highlighted below: | | | | So, it is important that the child receive a |
| | | | thorough examination and appropriate |
| Genetics: ADHD has been often found to run in | | | | diagnosis by a well-qualified professional. |
| families & various studies indicate that | | | | Even if a child has ADHD, he/she can achieve |
| around 25 percent of the close relatives in | | | | his/her full potential by receiving help, |
| the families of ADHD children also have ADHD; | | | | guidance, and understanding from parents, |
| so there are likely to be genetic influences. | | | | friends, counselors, and the public education |
| By studying the genetic isolates of Paisas of | | | | system! |