ADHD

Question 1

Definition/Disorder of ADHD

Answer 1

• Disorder of:
• Excessive Inattention
• Hyperactivity
• Impulsivity
• Any combination of the above

Question 2

Typical characteristics of ADHD

Answer 2

• Difficulties in focusing - especially on things which are not exciting
• Poor working memory - how much does a parent or teacher talk to a child?
• Impulsivity - tends to act before he or she thinks
• Lack of hyperactivity does not mean they don’t have ADHD

Question 3

Types of ADHD

Answer 3

• Hyperactive - more males
• Inattentive type - more females, likely underdiagnosed
• Combined type - need to meet criteria for both

Question 4

Onset of ADHD

Answer 4

• Must have sx before age 7
• “adult onset” does not exist

Question 5

Steps of “paying attention”

Answer 5

1. Start paying attention
2. Keep up paying attention
3. Be able to shift and shift back
4. Stop paying attention.

• ADHD can have problems in any of above.
  
  • hyperattention is also bad
• Variability between 1 & 4 has to do with interest level.

Question 6

Fxnl impact of ADHD

Answer 6

• ==> poor social/health outcomes
• lower HS graduation rates
• lack good careers
• incarceration
• drug abuse
• experience comorbid conditions

Question 7

Models for ADHD comorbidity w/other psych disorders

Answer 7

• genetic vulnerability
• developmental changes
• psychological effects of ADHD
• living w/others who don’t tolerate ADHD
• self-treatment of problem

Question 8

Genetic vulnerability ==> comorbid psych conditions

Answer 8

• genetic vulnerabilities to ADHD may indicate that there exist other genetic vulnerabilities to other psych diseases
• ex. Tourette’s gene causes ADHD, Tourettes, tics, and many other things

Question 9

Developmental changes in ADHD ==> comorbid conditions

Answer 9

• Infancy → Motor delay
• School Age → ADHD + conduct disorder
• Adolescence → ADHD + CD + PSUD

Question 10

Psychological effects of having ADHD

Answer 10

• Often get depression
• Not good at reading selves, so read other people to interpret how they are acting
  
  • → insecurity
  • easy to have mood drops if others are in bad moods

Question 11

Impacts of living with others intolerant of ADHD

Answer 11

• e.g. family may not understand ones ADHD
  
  • ==> increased pressure/familial dissapointment
  • ==> beating for poor grades
• Anger and devaluation of others is a way to fight back against the constant intrusion into your life
• Oppositional defiant disorder may be a result of living with other people

Question 12

Long-term tx in ADHD

Answer 12

• 50% of boys with ADHD continue to have attentional symptoms into adulthood
• Almost all girls with ADHD continue to have attentional symptoms into adulthood
• Hyperactivity tends to decrease, by late adolescence it is relatively rare
• Other symptoms like inner restlessness, impulsivity, and inattentiveness remain
• Attention only improves as long as stimulants are in the body. Treatment can be lifelong

Question 13

Neuropsychological deficits in ADHD

Answer 13

• response inhibition
• delay aversion
• executive functioning

Question 14

Common comorbid conditions w/ADHD

Answer 14

• major depression
• enuresis (bedwetting)
• oppositional disorder
• conduct disorder
• educational/learning difficulties
• substance abuse disorders

Question 15

Tx of ADHD and later substance abuse

Answer 15

• Treatment of ADHD may decrease relapse in substance abuse problems
• Early treatment of ADHD may decrease the risk of substance abuse: early stimulant use decreases later risk of substance use