What is AD/HD?
AD/HD is not a new diagnosis as some believe. It has been around for over a century, but it has been called different things like "minimal brain dysfunction", "hyperkinetic impulsive disorder," and "attention deficit disorder (ADD)." Currently the official recognized term since 1994 is Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). However this term did not begin to be used more frequently until 2005. There are still many, including professionals, who use the terms ADD, ADHD and AD/HD interchangeably.
According to the DSM IV (the manual used by those diagnosing individuals with AD/HD) there are three different types of AD/HD:
- Predominantly Inattentive Type (some people refer to this as ADD)
- Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Type (some refer to this as ADHD)
- Combined Type
It is estimated that the prevalence of AD/HD is:
- 5% - 7.5% in children
- 3-6% in adults
Once thought to be a childhood disorder predominately affecting males, we now know that approximately 75-85% of children will continue experiencing this condition on into adulthood and that it also affects females.
AD/HD has different causes and there are differing theories that have been studied, such as:
- Genetics
- Neurobiological challenges in several different areas of the brain, including the pre-frontal cortex
- Developmental disorder of self-control (Barkley 1995)
- Brain Insults – head trauma, toxins/chemicals
- AD/HD is NOT caused by sugar intake or poor parenting. Learn more about causes
In Addition:
There are several myths about AD/HD that are being dispelled. Learn more about myths...
Treatments for AD/HD typically involve a multi-modal approach. Learn more about treatment...
Some people with AD/HD are successful to a certain point and others suffer devastating failures.
The impact of ADD / ADHD is very significant:
Healthcare System
- 50% increase in bike accidents1
- 33% increase in emergency visits2
- 2-4 times more motor vehicle accidents3,4
Work/School
- 46% expelled 5
- 35% drop out rate 5
- Lower occupation status 6
- Increase in parental absenteeism from work 13
- Lost Work Productivity of 22.1 days annually14
Society
- Substance abuse –
- 2 x's the risk 7
- Earlier onset 8
- Less likely to quit in adulthood 9
- 67% increase in unwanted pregnancy
- 50% increase in legal challenges
Family
- 3-5 times increase in parental divorce or separation 10,11
- 2-4 times increase in sibling fights 12
References
- DiScala, et al. 1998
- Liebson, etal. 2001
- NHTSA, 1997
- Barkley, et al. 1993, 1996
- Barkley, et al. 1990
- Mannuzza, et al. 1997
- Biederman, et al. 1997
- Pomerleau, et al. 1999
- Wilens, et al. 1995
- Barkley, et al. 1991
- Brown, Pacini. 1989
- Mash, Johnston. 1983
- Noe, et al. 1999
- International Study 2008
