ADHD Recent Information on the Causes, Diagnosis

and Treatments of ADHDTly Schildt

Environmental GeneticsFactors

• Exposure to toxins at a young age.

• Overcrowded schools and classrooms.

• Lack of attention from Parents.

• Looking at genes related to brain chemical dopamine.

• A specific gene may be linked to thinner brain tissue in the area of the brain that deals with attention.

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Frontal LobesThe frontal lobes control problem-solving, planning, understanding other people’s behavior, and restraining our impulses.Researchers are looking at the Corpus Callosum because the Frontal Lobes use it to communicate back and forth. Researchers believe this area of the brain

matures slower in a child with ADHD.Can be caused by physical injury, toxins, or a

natural occurrence.

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Preliminary Questions

Whether or not the symptoms being displayed are excessive compared to what is normal for that age.

Whether or not the symptoms have been long-term rather than in response to a recent change.

Whether or not the symptoms appear in more then one setting. http://

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Child DiagnosisRule out any other

disorder by talking with parents and teachers.

If there is still uncertainty, another test may occur to rule out other disorders.

A Specialist will observe different situations that a child must have delicate self control in.

A Specialist will also watch the child’s actions while in a noisy environment.

The Specialist then creates a profile and will make an assessment.

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Adult DiagnosisA specialist will look at

an adults current issues. A specialist will then

look at the patients past .

Academics and Job Performance.

Once the data is collected, a specialist must be very careful when diagnosing the patient.

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Stimulants

Most common treatment

Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, and other medications.

Have age requirements and patients react differently to each medication.

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Therapy

Is being recommended as the first line of treatment more often then it used to be.

psychotherapy, behavior therapy, family therapy, and group therapy.

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Chiropractic Neurology

Specialists identify the underdeveloped part of the brain.

They then use different methods to stimulate that part of the brain.

This is suppose to improve the brain function in the underdeveloped areas.

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