*ADHD

Chapter 16: Psychological Disorders

Childhood Psychological Disorders

  • Psychological disorders can manifest at any point throughout an individual's lifespan.

Mental Health Symptoms in Children

  • Symptoms can occur in various age groups, including:

    • Infants: Exhibit patterns resembling clinical depression.

    • Older children: May display aggressive or behavioral issues.

Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Children

  • Approximately 20% of children aged 2-5 show symptoms as classified by the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual).

    • Within this group, about half experience severe impairment.

  • In Canada, between 18-22% of youths aged 9-17 report experiencing mental disorders.

  • A significant issue is that only around 40% of affected children receive professional treatment.

    • Consequently, many of these disorders persist into adolescence and adulthood.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Core Symptoms of ADHD can include:

    • Inattention

    • Hyperactivity/Impulsivity

    • Echolalia (repeating words or phrases)

    • These symptoms may present individually or as a combination of the three.

Gender Differences in ADHD Diagnosis

  • Boys are diagnosed with ADHD 3-4 times more frequently than girls.

    • Boys often display more externalizing and aggressive symptoms.

  • Girls typically show more inattentive symptoms, which can lead to underdiagnosis.

Course and Persistence of ADHD

  • ADHD is a condition that often persists over time:

    • 50-80% of individuals continue to exhibit symptoms during adolescence.

    • Approximately 30-50% of these individuals carry symptoms into adulthood.

  • Common long-term issues associated with ADHD include challenges in:

    • Work

    • School

    • Relationships

Biological Evidence of ADHD

  • Cerebellum abnormalities: Research indicates there may be structural differences in the cerebellum of individuals with ADHD.

  • There is a higher concordance rate for ADHD in identical twins, suggesting a genetic component.

  • Observed brain differences include:

    • Decreased activation in the right/middle prefrontal cortex.

    • Possible abnormalities in white matter.

  • ADHD can be classified as a multifactorial disorder, indicating that multiple biological subtypes may exist.

Environmental Links to ADHD

  • Several environmental factors may be associated with ADHD, including:

    • Inconsistent parenting

    • Social stress

    • Interaction with biological vulnerabilities can exacerbate the condition.