What Is ADD/ADHD - by admin - November 3, 2010 - 07:53 Etc/GMT+7 - Be first to Comment!
Davisson Clinic
12900 Preston Road – Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75230
Phone: (972) 480-0000
Fax: (972) 960-6097
The Davisson Clinic is located in the North Dallas Bank Tower on the corner of Preston Road and LBJ Freeway.
There is ample free parking.
Dr. Harvey G. Davisson, Ph.D. Has been serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area as a Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist for the past 35 years and includes over 100,000 clients. His practice is composed primarily of referrals from other professionals and successful clients.
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What Is ADD/ADHD - by admin - December 2, 2009 - 15:44 Etc/GMT+7 - Be first to Comment!
Dr. Harvey G. Davisson, Ph.D., LMFT, C.HT. has been serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area as a Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist for the past 35 years and includes over 100,000 clients. His practice is composed primarily of referrals from other professionals and successful clients.
The Davisson Clinic LLC is comprised of multiple professions including M.D.’s, D.O.’s and Ph.D.’s. Here you receive the full treatment needed to effectively manage your issues. We believe in the resiliency of the human spirit, and that as we become more accepting and understanding of ourselves, we are able to find greater joy and satisfaction in our lives.It is not only important to know who you are, but how/why you are who you are. This is the process of therapy.When medication is necessary to enhance your daily functioning we provide a medical staff that can help you in this area.Below are conditions that we address in counseling:
- Psychological Diagnosis & Treatment Planning
- Depression Anxiety
- ADD / ADHD evaluation
- Family/Marital Counseling
- Suicide & Crisis Intervention
- Adolescent Issues
- Substance Use / Abuse
- Bipolar Disorder
- Addiction
- Weight Loss
- Smoking/Tobacco Cessation
Please don’t hesitate to contact us to make an appointment when you need someone to talk to.
What Is ADD/ADHD - by admin - November 1, 2009 - 16:55 Etc/GMT+7 - Be first to Comment!
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued a report based on data collected in 2003 concerning the incidence of and treatment for ADHD state by state in America (CDC, 2005, www.cdc.gov/mmwr). The incidence rates varied from a low of approximately 5% to a high of 8% in children ages 4 to 17 years old. Approximately half had or were receiving medication treatment for the condition.
Symptoms of ADHD largely stem from impulsive, non-thinking behavior. ADHD reflects an exaggeration of normal behavior. The individual over reacts to situations. Strong emotional displays are common. Dramatic responses to small matters may occur frequently
An ADHD individuals cognitively understands what is expected of them but under stress or in a demanding situation their sense of immediate need overwhelms their limited capacity for self-control. Their actions create consequences that are difficult to manage. These individuals are characterized as unpredictable and their actions may include violence.
ADHD individuals are easily bored. It is difficult for them function in an environment where the tasks are repetitive and dull. Their ability to focus on detail is diminished. There is a need for immediate gratification and embracing the concept of a long term goal with a long term reward is not meaningful.
The Davisson Clinic, LLC is located in the North Dallas Bank Tower on the corner of Preston Road and LBJ Freeway.
There is ample free parking.
Davisson Clinic, LLC
12900 Preston Road – Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75230
Phone: (972) 480-0000
Fax: (972) 960-6097
What Is ADD/ADHD - by admin - June 29, 2009 - 19:53 Etc/GMT+7 - Be first to Comment!
ADULT ADD
In the past, Attention Deficit Disorder was believed to be a condition that affected children and some adolescents. Although it was known that children with AD/HD were more likely to have difficulties in adulthood, clinicians usually diagnosed and treated these as other conditions. During the past two decades, we have recognized attention deficit disorder in older adolescents and adults.
A limited number of studies have followed children diagnosed with ADD on to adulthood, but the results imply that the vast majority of children with ADD outgrow the diagnosis by early adulthood, and have led some to speculate that the adverse impact of ADD becomes increasingly benign with advancing age. However some have argued that this is a result of both flaws in the studies and flaws in our understanding of the manifestation of ADD in adults.
Although the manifestations of ADHD may change over time, current diagnostic criteria are the same for adults as they are for children. Thus, the same symptoms are used to diagnose children and adults and the same number of symptoms is required. This could artificially reduce the likelihood that an individual would be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood for two reasons. First, if the manifestations of ADHD change over time, then the symptoms used to define the disorder in childhood may not include features that are more characteristic for adults.
Second, if ADHD symptoms as currently defined decline with age — as they are known to do — then it becomes increasingly unlikely for individuals to display the required number of symptoms as they become older. Scientists are now looking at new ways to assess adults who are struggling with ADD.
Attention Deficit Disorder is first diagnosed in childhood and is not a disorder developed as an adult. ADD was not commonly recognized decades ago and many adults who exhibited symptoms of ADD have spent their lives undiagnosed. As children, these adults might have been accused of being lazy, a day dreamer, or a scatterbrain.
Adults with ADD are often perceived by others as chaotic and disorganized, with a tendency to require high stimulation in order to diminish distractibility and function effectively. As their coping mechanisms become overwhelmed, some individuals may turn to smoking, alcohol, or illicit drugs. Even as an adult, ADD is sometimes difficult to diagnose because there are things the adult with ADD can focus on (a product of decades of being forced to learn coping skills). It is quite common today for an adult to seek out psychotherapy for other reasons only to discover that part of their problem and an explanation for their problem is that they have ADD.
Adults with ADD often realize that they have Attention Deficit Disorder when their own child is diagnosed (especially since there is a hereditary component to ADD). Looking through the list of symptoms, the parent often sees similarities in their own present or past behavior. Individuals with ADD essentially have problems with self-regulation and self-motivation, predominantly due to problems with distractibility, procrastination, organization, and prioritization. The learning potential and overall intelligence of an adult with ADD, however, are no different from the potential and intelligence of adults who do not have the disorder. It is estimated that up to 70% of children with ADD will continue to have significant ADD-related symptoms persisting into adulthood, resulting in a significant impact on education, employment, and interpersonal relationships.
The challenges of Attention Deficit are often the same, whether in a child or an adult. The ADD adult might have trouble with staying on task, staying organized and procrastinating, just as the Attention Deficit Disorder child does. The Attention Deficit Disorder adult might have trouble maintaining relationships and controlling their mood, just like an ADD or ADD child. The main difference between the ADD adult and the ADD child is that the adult with Attention Deficit typically has more sophisticated coping mechanisms.
Whereas teachers and caregivers responsible for children are often attuned to the symptoms of ADD, employers and others who interact with adults are far less likely to regard such behaviors as a symptom. In part, this is because symptoms do change with maturity; adults who have ADD are unlikely to spend much time climbing on the furniture. Research shows that they are far more likely than average to have automobile accidents, however, and less likely to complete their education. Their significantly lower rates of professional employment are not explained by the frequent presence of coexisting psychiatric problems. For the better part, the Attention Deficit Disorder ADD symptom test outlined for children is about the same for the adult, with the word “work” substituted for “school.” You can also look at the Attention Deficit Disorder test for children and ask yourself if, as a child, you had such symptoms or currently have such Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms.
Some frequent traits exhibited by adults with ADD are:
- An internal sense of anxiety or excessive worry
- Impulsive spending habits
- Frequently misplace the car keys, your purse or wallet or other day-to-day items
- Lack of attention to detail
- Family history of ADD, learning problems, mood disorders or substance abuse problems
- Trouble following the proper channels or chain of commands
- Impulsive job changes or inconsistent work performance
- Trouble maintaining an organized work and/or home environment
- Chronically late or always in a hurry
- Frequently overwhelmed by tasks of daily living
- Poor financial management and frequent late bills
- Procrastination
- Trouble sustaining friendships or intimate relationships
- A need to seek high stimulation activities
- Tendency toward exaggerated outbursts or an argumentative attitude
- Addictive personality toward food, alcohol, drugs, work and/or gambling
- “Thin-skinned” – having quick or exaggerated responses to real or imagined slights
Many adults with ADD are aware that “something is wrong,” but are unable to find effective solutions for their symptoms. Getting a formal diagnosis of ADD by a trained professional and understanding the disorder as it applies to them, frequently offer adults with ADD the insight about their own behaviors that they need in order to make changes. Successful treatment of ADD is usually based on a combination of medication, behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, and skills training.
The diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder in adults can be a complex process. Because ADD is a condition that has its onset in childhood it is important for an adult seeking a diagnosis of ADD to examine their behavior from an early age. Since not everyone has an accurate recall of his or her early life, often it is useful to get information from relatives, spouse or old school records.
As the child moves from adolescence to adulthood, the predominant symptoms of ADD tend to shift from external, visible ones (such as physical hyperactivity) to internal symptoms. There seems to be a decrease in observable symptoms of ADD with age. Although a given adult may not meet the full DSM-IV criteria for full ADD any longer, he or she may still experience significant impairment in certain aspects of life. Depending on the professional or domestic situation, the adult may need to deal with more complex, abstract issues. A given individual’s perception of his or her degree of impairment may vary.
If they were diagnosed at all, many adults were diagnosed incorrectly, even when they were children. Sometimes this was because their main symptoms were inattention and impulsivity rather than physical hyperactivity. In other cases, the individual used his or her high intelligence or great determination to mask the ADD symptoms. Often this compensation occurred at great emotional cost. It is common for high-functioning individuals with ADD to harbor feelings of poor self-worth. They may see themselves as failures and feel that they constantly let others down. Over the years, the individual adapts to the situation. These adaptations, positive or negative, become part of one’s personality, layered over the ADD symptoms.
Adults with ADD are often bored with tedious, repetitive tasks. They may also trouble with planning and organization. Procrastination is common. Impulsivity may lead to frequent job changes, troubled romantic relationships, financial problems and a tendency to interrupt others. College students may have trouble staying focused on paperwork or lectures and keeping track of long term assignments. The ADD adult often becomes frustrated or angry rapidly, but may cool off equally quickly. He or she is then left wondering why everyone else is still upset at the blow up. Because of difficulties following through on commitments, the individual is often called selfish and immature.
There is no magic cure for ADD, but many adults learn to manage it successfully using medication, behavioral therapy, and the development of organizational and coping skills. Adults, more so than children are more likely to benefit from medication alternatives such as seeing an ADD coach or practicing meditation. The most important starting point is an accurate diagnosis of the ADD and any associated medical and psychiatric conditions. Following the diagnosis, the individual should educate himself about the condition. Self-knowledge is necessary in order to learn coping and develop mastery. Adults often respond to the same medications used to treat ADD children. However, one may need to consider the adult’s size, and associated medical conditions and his or her other medications. New medications are expanding our ability to treat ADD with fewer side effects.
Treatment often involves teaching the adult to structure his or her life, while allowing for some spontaneity. Time management and planning are important skills. Daily planners and task lists are beneficial. Often the individual can enlist the help of family or coworkers to help him stay organized. It is important that the adult with ADD chose a vocation that suits his or her interests and personality style. It is often best to avoid jobs that emphasize weaknesses such as repetitive tasks, and find jobs that focus on one’s energy, and ability to shift from task to task. Individuals who experience physical restlessness should try to schedule regular exercise or work breaks. College students who need accommodations need to inform their school early, before problems arise. Examples of accommodations include untimed tests, the use of tape recorders in lectures or the right to take attests in a less distracting setting. Schools often require psychological testing to support special accommodations.
Ways to manage ADD as an adult
- ADD Coaching (adult ADD coaching focuses on practical day to day ways to manage adult ADD more effectively at work and at home.)
- ADD Medication
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- ADD Support
- Adequate diet and frequent exercise
- Meditation or other relaxation and focusing practices
- Tutors or Professional Business and Personal Help
There has been increasing awareness that adults and children with ADD are at increased risk for other psychiatric disorders. Adults have lived longer than children, and thus have had more time to develop other associated psychiatric disorders. Often one must treat the other conditions before treating the ADD.
The Davisson Clinic, LLC is located in the North Dallas Bank Tower on the corner of Preston Road and LBJ Freeway.
There is ample free parking.
Davisson Clinic, LLC
12900 Preston Road – Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75230
Phone: (972) 480-0000
Fax: (972) 960-6097
What Is ADD/ADHD - by admin - May 29, 2009 - 19:52 Etc/GMT+7 - Be first to Comment!
WHAT ADD IS NOT
- Many people assume that children with ADD can not pay attention. This is false. In fact, these children are known to “hyperfocus” on anything which captures their attention, to the point where it is difficult to get their attention. It is true, however, that a higher degree of interest is necessary before the child can pay attention. Children with ADD do not tune-out or daydream on purpose or to be rude. Some people have likened it to having an on-off switch in the brain. Interest is needed to activate or “turn on” the brain, after which it is easy to pay attention. If there is no interest, then the brain is “off” and the child is likely to do something to try and get it back on. This can include sensation seeking, daydreaming, or becoming immersed in something the child finds very interesting. It can also include disruptive behavior. Ritalin and other stimulants appear to work by artificially stimulating the brain, allowing the child to have the necessary neural stimulation to pay attention to more dull subjects.
- Contrary to the popular stereotype of children with ADD, not all who are diagnosed exhibit signs of hyperactivity. Some, especially girls, are extremely introverted and may appear to be day dreaming.
- Oppositional behavior is often confused with ADD. ADD in itself does NOT directly cause oppositional behavior. It can, however, indirectly result in anger and oppositional behavior if the child is chronically mistreated, for example, by parents and teachers who continually blame the child for not “performing” like other children. Such children may give up trying to please their parents and instead misbehave out of frustration and anger. Otherwise, ADD kids are often described as enthusiastic and affectionate by understanding parents. In addition, some people reacting to foods may become hostile as well as hyperactive while they are reacting to the food.
The Davisson Clinic, LLC is located in the North Dallas Bank Tower on the corner of Preston Road and LBJ Freeway.
There is ample free parking.
Davisson Clinic, LLC
12900 Preston Road – Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75230
Phone: (972) 480-0000
Fax: (972) 960-6097
What Is ADD/ADHD - by admin - May 29, 2009 - 19:51 Etc/GMT+7 - Be first to Comment!
HISTORY OF ADD
ADD was first identified and studied in the early 1900′s. During World War I, researchers noted that children who had contracted encephalitis displayed a high incidence of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and conduct disorders. And in the 1940′s, some soldiers who had experienced brain injuries were found to have behavioral disorders. It seemed clear that brain damage could cause hyperactivity. -Other forms of brain insult have since been identified as causes of hyperactivity, including exposure to lead and other environmental toxins, as well as fetal exposure to drugs and alcohol. More recent studies have shown that ADD is largely genetic.
In the 1990′s a growing number of ADD experts began to view ADD not so much as a disorder, but instead a natural condition which leaves children with ADD at a disadvantage in some common modern settings, and many positive attributes became associated with ADD, such as creativity, enthusiasm and entrepreneurial tendencies. A few decades ago only the most dysfunctional hyperactive kids were identified as “disordered” and these kids were more likely to suffer from actual brain injury.
The Davisson Clinic, LLC is located in the North Dallas Bank Tower on the corner of Preston Road and LBJ Freeway.
There is ample free parking.
Davisson Clinic, LLC
12900 Preston Road – Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75230
Phone: (972) 480-0000
Fax: (972) 960-6097
What Is ADD/ADHD - by admin - May 29, 2009 - 19:49 Etc/GMT+7 - Be first to Comment!
CAUSES OF ADD
Health professionals stress that no one knows what causes ADD. There are too many possibilities to pin down the cause with certainty. The causes of ADD stem from biological sources not home environmental or parental ability.
Over the last decades, scientists have come up with possible theories about what causes ADD. Some of these theories have led to dead ends, some to exciting new avenues of investigation. One disappointing theory was that all attention disorders and learning disabilities were caused by minor head injuries or undetectable damage to the brain, perhaps from early infection or complications at birth. Based on this theory, for many years both disorders were called “minimal brain damage” or “minimal brain dysfunction.”
Although certain types of head injury can explain some cases of attention disorder, the theory was rejected because it could explain only a very small number of cases. Not everyone with ADD has a history of head trauma or birth complications. Another theory was that refined sugar and food additives make children hyperactive and inattentive. As a result, parents were encouraged to stop serving children foods containing artificial flavorings, preservatives, and sugars. However, this theory, too, came under question. In 1982, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Federal agency responsible for biomedical research, held a major scientific conference to discuss the issue. After studying the data, the scientists concluded that the restricted diet only seemed to help about 5 percent of children with ADD, mostly either young children or children with food allergies.
ADD cannot be induced by a child watching too much TV, eating too much sugar, attending a sub-par school, or through bad parenting.
In recent years, as new tools and techniques for studying the brain have been developed, scientists have been able to test more theories about what causes ADD. Using one such technique, NIMH scientists demonstrated a link between a person’s ability to pay continued attention and the level of activity in the brain. The investigators found important differences between people who have ADD and those who don’t. In people with ADD, the brain areas that control attention used less glucose, indicating that they were less active. It appears from this research that a lower level of activity in some parts of the brain may cause inattention.
Brain scan images produced by positron emission tomography (PET) show differences between an adult with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and an adult free of the disease.
Researchers are also searching for other differences between those who have and do not have ADD. Research on how the brain normally develops in the fetus offers some clues about what may disrupt the process. Throughout pregnancy and continuing into the first year of life, the brain is constantly developing. It begins its growth from a few all-purpose cells and evolves into a complex organ made of billions of specialized, interconnected nerve cells. By studying brain development in animals and humans, scientists are gaining a better understanding of how the brain works when the nerve cells are connected correctly and incorrectly.
Scientists at NIMH and other research institutions are tracking clues to determine what might prevent nerve cells from forming the proper connections. Some of the factors they are studying include drug use during pregnancy, toxins, and genetics. Research shows that a mother’s use of cigarettes, alcohol, or other drugs during pregnancy may have damaging effects on the unborn child. These substances may be dangerous to the fetus’s developing brain. It appears that alcohol and the nicotine in cigarettes may distort developing nerve cells.
For example, heavy alcohol use during pregnancy as been linked to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a condition that can lead to low birth weight, intellectual impairment, and certain physical defects. Many children born with FAS show much the same hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity as children with ADD. Drugs such as crack cocaine seem to affect the normal development of brain receptors. These brain cell parts help to transmit incoming signals from our skin, eyes, and ears, and help control our responses to the environment.
Current research suggests that drug abuse may harm these receptors. Some scientists believe that such damage may lead to ADD. Toxins in the environment may also disrupt brain development or brain processes, which may lead to ADD. Lead is one such possible toxin. It is found in dust, soil, and flaking paint in areas where leaded gasoline and paint were once used. It is also present in some water pipes. Some animal studies suggest that children exposed to lead may develop symptoms associated with ADD, but only a few cases have actually been found.
Other research shows that attention disorders tend to run in families, so there are likely to be genetic influences. Children who have ADD usually have at least one close relative who also has ADD. And at least one-third of all fathers who had ADD in their youth bear children who have ADD. Even more convincing: the majority of identical twins share the trait.
The neurotransmitter dopamine has been implicated in ADD. Dopamine is the “feel good” chemical in the brain which is responsible for our ability to concentrate as well as our feelings of happiness. Just about all mood-altering drugs work on dopamine, including alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, heroin, and cocaine, as do stimulant medications for ADD. Dopamine activity increases naturally in response to mental or physical stimulation, this explains why everyone, especially those diagnosed with ADD can focus much better after exercise or during an emergency. In fact, it is said that many of the people involved in emergency response are ADD, such as firemen and ER physicians. A study in Scientific Daily has shown that a group of adults diagnosed with ADD had reduced levels of dopamine in the brain.
The Davisson Clinic, LLC is located in the North Dallas Bank Tower on the corner of Preston Road and LBJ Freeway.
There is ample free parking.
Davisson Clinic, LLC
12900 Preston Road – Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75230
Phone: (972) 480-0000
Fax: (972) 960-6097
What Is ADD/ADHD - by admin - May 29, 2009 - 19:48 Etc/GMT+7 - Be first to Comment!
WHAT IS ADD?
Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD/ADHD, is a psychological term currently applied to anyone who meets the DSM IV diagnostic criteria for impulsivity, hyperactivity and/or inattention. The diagnostic criteria are subjective and include behavior which might be caused by a wide variety of factors, ranging from brain defects to allergies to giftedness. Statistics indicate that between 6 percent and 8 percent of children have ADHD. There is also a 30 percent chance that if a child is diagnosed with ADHD a sibling will also have ADHD. Children with ADHD may also have a parent with ADHD.
ADD, as currently defined, is a highly subjective description, not a specific disease. The understanding of ADD in the popular culture is compromised by the assumption that everyone diagnosed with ADD suffers from a brain malformation or birth defect. This misconception is not always the case. The causes of ADD are many and are not entirely understood by science. It can be a result of heredity, encephalitis, lead poisoning, or even a misdiagnosis.
The ADD diagnostic criteria have been so broadened as to include many people with no brain defects at all. ADD is diagnosed by exhibited behavior and not by the source of the behavior. This had lead to the concern that a number of people who are diagnosed has having ADD are not ADD in the traditional sense or may not be ADD.
There are three major types of ADD: ADD with hyperactivity (the traditional type of ADD), ADD without hyperactivity (“inattentive” type), and a combined form of ADD exhibiting signs from these two types.
The DSM IV diagnostic criteria in a condensed form follows:
Inattention (must meet six of the following to a degree that is “maladaptive”):
- Often fails to give close attention to details or makes mistakes in schoolwork;
- difficulty sustaining attention in tasks;
- seems not to listen;
- fails to follow instructions or finish work;
- unorganized;
- difficulties with schoolwork or homework;
- loses things like school assignments, books, tools, etc.;
- easily distracted;
- forgetful about daily activities.
ADD with Hyperactivity (must meet six of the following to a degree that is “maladaptive”):
- fidgety in a squirmy sense;
- doesn’t stay seated;
- runs or climbs excessively (or feelings of restlessness in older children);
- difficulty playing quietly;
- often “on the go” or acts if “driven by a motor”;
- often talks excessively;
- blurts out answers to questions;
- difficulty waiting in lines or waiting turns;
- often interrupts or intrudes on others.
Signs of ADD in children must be presented by the age of 7 and must be displayed in two different settings (i.e. home and school). A child who acts out at school but not at home could be exhibiting signs of oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder (which may be co-morbid with ADD). Development of the symptoms at a later age when the child has presented no previous ADD behavior are likely a result of another issue such as anxiety, depression, or allergies.
ADD exists alone in only 1/3 of individuals who receive a diagnosis. Common co-existing conditions include:
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder — ongoing pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures which goes beyond the bounds of normal childhood behavior.
- Conduct Disorder — pattern of repetitive behavior where the rights of others or the current social norms are violated. Symptoms include verbal and physical aggression, cruel behavior toward people and pets, destructive behavior, lying, truancy, vandalism, and stealing.
- Anxiety Disorder — blanket term covering several different forms of abnormal and pathological fears and anxieties.
- Mood Disorders — a disturbance in the person’s emotional mood is the main underlying feature. Depression is a common mood disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – pattern of voluntary irrational, time-consuming physical behaviors intended to diminish anxiety.
- Bi-Polar Disorder — defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated mood clinically referred to as mania. Individuals who experience manic episodes also commonly experience depressive episodes or symptoms, usually separated by periods of “normal” mood.
The Davisson Clinic, LLC is located in the North Dallas Bank Tower on the corner of Preston Road and LBJ Freeway.
There is ample free parking.
Davisson Clinic, LLC
12900 Preston Road – Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75230
Phone: (972) 480-0000
Fax: (972) 960-6097
What Is ADD/ADHD - by admin - March 29, 2009 - 19:21 Etc/GMT+7 - Be first to Comment!
ADHD into Adolescence and Adulthood
The severity of ADHD symptoms in adolescence and adulthood coincides with an increase of problems related to aggression and conduct. The worse an individual’s ADHD symptoms get, the more likely that the individual might progress to criminal behavior. Further, the rate of borderline and antisocial personality disorders appears much higher in individuals with histories of ADHD.[i]
Compared to other young adults, ADHD individuals engage have a greater number of school suspensions (14 percent vs. 2 percent), have more adversarial contacts with law enforcement agencies (19:3), and are more likely to be admitted into juvenile justice facilities (5:1).[ii]
Researchers increasingly identify the development of aggressive behavior during childhood and adolescence as the connecting bond between ADHD, substance abuse, and criminal behavior.[iii]
While aggression does not represent one of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, approximately 50 percent of those with ADHD evaluated in clinics progress to a level of aggressive behavior defined by most law enforcement agencies as delinquency.[iv]
ADHD appears to be a catalyst with primarily family variables increasing the risk that ADHD behavior will lead to delinquency and substance abuse problems.[v]
Studies also suggest that this group is likely to cause and experience more automobile accidents, and sustain more bodily injuries associated with accidents, than others. Members of this group also are more likely to receive traffic citations, particularly for speeding.[vi]
[i] . Goldstein, ADHD/LD in Adults (New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1996).
[ii] 2 S. Mannuzza, R. Klein, P.H. Konig, and T.L. Giampino, “Hyperactive Boys Almost Grown Up: IV. Criminality and Its Relationship to Psychiatric Status,” Archives of General Psychiatry, 46, 1989, 1073-1079
[iii] S.O. Lilenfield, I.D. Waldman, “The Relation Between Childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Adult Anti-social Behavior Re-examined: The Problem of Heterogeneity,” Clinical Psychology Review, 10, 1990, 699-725.
[iv] J. Biederman, J. Newcorn, and S. Sprich, “Conorbidity of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With Conduct, Depressive, Anxiety, and Other Disorders,” American Journal of Psychiatry, 148, 1991, 564-570.
[v] P.J. Frick, “Family Dysfunction and the Disruptive Behavior Disorders: A Review of Recent Empirical Findings,” Advances in Clinical Child Psychology, 16, 1994, 203-226.
[vi] R.A. Barkley, D.C. Guevremont, A.D. Anastopoulos, G.J. DuPaul, and T.L. Shelton, “Driving-related Risks and Outcomes of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adolescents and Young Adults: A 3- to 5-year Follow-up Survey,” Pediatrics, 92, 212-218.
The Davisson Clinic, LLC is located in the North Dallas Bank Tower on the corner of Preston Road and LBJ Freeway.
There is ample free parking.
Davisson Clinic, LLC
12900 Preston Road – Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75230
Phone: (972) 480-0000
Fax: (972) 960-6097
What Is ADD/ADHD - by admin - March 25, 2009 - 17:49 Etc/GMT+7 - Be first to Comment!
The majority of adults with ADHD are undiagnosed and consequently untreated. They suffer with the untreated consequences with symptoms which occur in varying types and severity. ADHD symptoms have the potential and often do impair interpersonal relations including marriage. The symptoms destroy the emotional well-being of the individual, disrupt stable employment and even the work environment at large for other employees.
The Davisson Clinic, LLC is located in the North Dallas Bank Tower on the corner of Preston Road and LBJ Freeway.
There is ample free parking.
Davisson Clinic, LLC
12900 Preston Road – Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75230
Phone: (972) 480-0000
Fax: (972) 960-6097
What Is ADD/ADHD - by admin - February 25, 2009 - 17:39 Etc/GMT+7 - Be first to Comment!
ADD/ADHD in Population
The diagnosis of ADHD among children and adolescents is increasing consistently. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is found in as many as one in every 20 children. Boys are four 4 times more likely than girls to have the disorder according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999.
Symptoms of ADHD largely stem from impulsive, non-thinking behavior. ADHD reflects an exaggeration of normal behavior. The individual over reacts to situations. Strong emotional displays are common. Dramatic responses to small matters may occur frequently.
The Davisson Clinic, LLC is located in the North Dallas Bank Tower on the corner of Preston Road and LBJ Freeway.
There is ample free parking.
Davisson Clinic, LLC
12900 Preston Road – Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75230
Phone: (972) 480-0000
Fax: (972) 960-6097
What Is ADD/ADHD - by admin - January 25, 2009 - 17:54 Etc/GMT+7 - Be first to Comment!
Childhood ADHD and Conduct Disorder as Independent Predictors of Male Alcohol Dependence at Age 40
A recent Danish Study on Alcoholism studied males for a period of forty years examining the antecedent predictors of adult male alcoholism. This study revealed the correlation of premorbid behaviors consistent with childhood conduct disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). At 30-year and 40-year follow-ups, a psychiatrist used structured interviews and criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, Revised, to quantify lifetime alcoholism severity and to diagnose alcohol-use disorder.
Subjects who were above a median split on both the ADHD and the conduct disorder scales were more than six times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than subjects who scored below the median on both. Although the two childhood measures were correlated, a multiple regression showed that each independently predicted a measure of lifetime alcoholism severity. ADHD comorbid with conduct disorder was the strongest predictor of later alcohol dependence.
ADHD and Drug Abuse
A number of studies show that individuals with ADHD are as much as seven times more likely than others to develop an antisocial personality or drug abuse problem in adulthood.
Researchers consistently report an overlap of ADHD and addictive disorders beginning in adolescence and continuing into early adulthood affecting at least 10 to 20 percent of the adult population with ADHD. Males appear to predominate. Problems with antisocial behavior in this subpopulation are the norm rather than the exception. In addition, research suggests that one-third of adults with ADHD abuse alcohol, with one-fifth having a history of drug abuse.
Studies have found that nearly 40 percent of all cocaine and opiate abusers meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. In comparison to other opiate and cocaine abusers, those with a history of ADHD generally began their abuse at an earlier age, exhibited more severe abusing habits, and showed higher rates of criminal
The Davisson Clinic, LLC is located in the North Dallas Bank Tower on the corner of Preston Road and LBJ Freeway.
There is ample free parking.
Davisson Clinic, LLC
12900 Preston Road – Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75230
Phone: (972) 480-0000
Fax: (972) 960-6097
