ADHD: Introduction- Short, Sharp and Sweet Pt1
Over the next few posts I am going to dive into the world of ADHD. Most likely you will know someone with ADHD or have it yourself. I am going to keep these posts short and sweet with a few embedded videos, comments and questions to keep your attention. This is an interactive post so comment and I will reply.
If you look at the mind map below these are the areas I am going to cover. I want to look at the traditional side of ADHD but also bring your attention to some alternative ideas. I am not going to try and convince you that the doctors are wrong, but I will show you that maybe we need to look at both external and internal environments in a different way.
I want to share with you my journey as a student and teacher.
My introduction (please don’t feel you have to watch this):
So let's cover the basics….
What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children.
Symptoms of ADHD include:
Inattention- not being able to keep focus
Hyperactivity- excess movement that is not fitting to the setting
Impulsivity- hasty acts that occur in the moment without thought
From the words of the American Psychiatric Association:
‘ADHD is considered a chronic and debilitating disorder ….’ (Harpin, 2005).
‘ADHD can lead to poor self-esteem and social function in children when not appropriately treated (Harpin et al., 2016).’
‘Adults with ADHD may experience poor self-worth, sensitivity towards criticism…. (Beaton, et al., 2022). (1)
So all pretty negative. It seems that it is not a good thing to have.
But what actually is it? Here is a clip explaining how a ‘normal brain’ works and then someone with ADHD.
What is the exact cause of ADHD?
According to the NHS:
The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but the condition has been shown to run in families. (2)
Great! So we don’t know the cause, but what we do know is that there is an increase ... .so let’s look at the history.
What do you think?
NEXT POST: We will dive into the history of ADHD and look at the language that has been used to describe children with these symptoms.
References
1.https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd
2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/
