ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Defining and Understanding a Diagnosis of ADHD

You have heard the acronym, ADHD, several times before and you probably know of at least one person that has ADHD. This book breaks down ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This disorder has caused a great deal of controversy and discussion in recent years and continues to leave many with unanswered questions as to its definition, symptoms, causes, treatment, medications and so much more. Between 3% and 5% of the population of North America and Europe have ADHD. Rates of diagnosis vary wildly between different countries with North America consistently reporting the highest rates of ADHD in the world. Among schoolchildren in the United States, ADHD rates have skyrocketed, and currently sit somewhere between 3% and 16%. With these astounding statistics, ADHD has become a real issue that is surrounding much of the population. There is also a greater number of boys affected with ADHD as compared to their female counterparts. There are at least twice as many confirmed cases of males with ADHD than confirmed females; some estimates have found as many as four diagnosed boys to every one diagnosed girl. It is not yet known whether the gender gap is due to a genuine biological gender difference, or an erroneous difference in diagnosis rates. Preliminary studies have found that girls who display inattentive or hyperactive symptoms are far less likely than boys to be suspected of having ADHD by parents and teachers, which may account for some of the discrepancy. Sub-types of ADHD involving hyperactivity are much more prevalent among boys, while the primarily inattentive subtype tends to have a more even gender divide. From demographics to genders and diet to medicinal treatment, ADHD will be uncovered in detail. This book will guide the reader into this mystery of ADHD that is, and has, affected so many lives.