For this reason the diagnosis of ADHD has to be given by a
specialist in the field.
There has been a good deal of controversy
lately regarding the irresponsible and casual labeling of childhood
behaviors as hyperactive and therefore requiring medication and
treatment.
Ritalin is the most common medication for sufferers of ADHD but
questions have arisen as to the responsible dispensing of the drug to
children that actually have the disorder and who are not just
responding to aspects of their environments or displaying normal
childlike behavior. Some parents and professionals have been accused of
dispensing Ritalin to children in order to "iron out the kinks" and
subdue high-spirited behavior or disruptive behavior that may be due to
something other than ADHD.
The true symptoms of ADHD should become obvious in the early childhood
years before the age of seven. These symptoms include excessive
activity, impatience, constant distraction, shifting from one activity
to another and restless sleeping patterns.
The National Institute of Mental Health looks for three main signs:
1. Inattention
2. Hyperactivity
3. Impulsivity
Because symptoms vary across different settings great care must be made
in making a correct diagnosis. The behavior must have continued for at
least 6 months and it must create a real handicap for the child in more
than just one context. The specialist will check to see that the
behavior is excessive, long-term and pervasive, that it is continuous
and occurs in several settings and not just one.
The causes of ADHD are currently thought to be neurobiological and
genetic in nature though environment may influence the severity of the
symptoms.
