Understanding the scattered (ADHD) brain
Summary
TLDRThis video discusses ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), a neurodevelopmental condition that affects executive brain functions. It explains the two types of ADHD: inattentive and hyperactive, and highlights the common symptoms. The video also addresses the gender-related myths surrounding ADHD, noting that females are often underdiagnosed. Treatment options include medications like methylphenidate and amphetamines, as well as psychotherapy. Innovative approaches, such as using video games for therapy, show promise. The video emphasizes the importance of education and resources for those affected by ADHD.
Takeaways
- ๐ง ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting executive functioning, and is often misunderstood.
- ๐ ADHD is recognized in the DSM and has two main types: inattentive (ADD) and hyperactive (ADHD).
- ๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ฆ Research suggests that genetics play a significant role in ADHD, with 75% of children having a relative with the disorder.
- ๐ Inattentive ADHD symptoms include difficulty focusing, careless mistakes, and trouble completing tasks.
- ๐คธโโ๏ธ Hyperactive ADHD symptoms include fidgeting, inability to stay seated, and excessive talking.
- ๐ป Males are overdiagnosed and females are underdiagnosed with ADHD, despite the condition being non-sex specific.
- ๐ ADHD treatment includes two main medications: methylphenidate and amphetamine, which help by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine.
- ๐งฉ Psychotherapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is another important treatment route for ADHD, improving behavior and self-esteem.
- ๐ฎ A video game called Project Evo showed promising results in improving ADHD symptoms in children by enhancing neurocognitive functions.
- ๐ Several resources are available for individuals with ADHD, including support groups and national helplines.
Q & A
What is ADHD and how is it classified in mental health terms?
-ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting the brain's executive functions. It is recognized in the DSM manual for mental health conditions.
What are the two types of ADHD, and how do their symptoms differ?
-The two types of ADHD are inattentive (also called ADD) and hyperactive. Inattentive ADHD symptoms include difficulty paying attention to details, trouble focusing, and distraction. Hyperactive ADHD symptoms include fidgeting, inability to stay seated, and excessive talking.
How does ADHD impact males and females differently in terms of diagnosis?
-Although ADHD symptoms present equally in males and females, males are often over-diagnosed, while females are under-diagnosed. Males are more likely to exhibit hyperactivity, while females are frequently misdiagnosed with mood or anxiety disorders.
What role do genetics play in ADHD?
-Genetics are believed to play a significant role in ADHD, with statistics indicating that 75% of children with ADHD have a relative who also has the disorder.
How do ADHD medications like methylphenidate and amphetamine work in the brain?
-These medications work by inhibiting the reuptake of hormones like dopamine in the synaptic cleft, allowing them to stay longer and helping improve concentration and attention in individuals with ADHD.
What are the two main routes of treatment for ADHD?
-The two main treatment routes for ADHD are medication (such as methylphenidate and amphetamine) and psychotherapy, which includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral therapy.
What are the goals of psychotherapy for individuals with ADHD?
-Psychotherapy for ADHD focuses on improving behavior, self-control, and self-esteem, with particular emphasis on organization, planning, reducing distractibility, and cognitive restructuring.
How might video games help in treating ADHD symptoms in children?
-Research on video games, like the Project Evo game developed at Duke University, has shown promise in helping children with ADHD. The game is designed to improve neurocognitive functions, with studies showing significant improvements in attention and working memory for children with ADHD.
Why is there a common misconception that ADHD is primarily a male disorder?
-This misconception stems from the belief that hyperactivity, often associated with males, is a key trait of ADHD. As a result, males are over-diagnosed, and females, who may present less obvious symptoms, are under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions.
What resources are available for individuals with ADHD?
-Several resources, such as McMaster Universityโs Student Accessibility Services, ADHD focus groups, and organizations like Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Attitude, Totally ADD, and the National Resource Center on ADHD, provide support and information.
Outlines
๐ง Understanding ADHD and Its Types
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts executive functioning. The condition is officially recognized in the DSM manual and can be influenced by genetics, with about 75% of children with ADHD having a relative with the disorder. There are two types of ADHD: inattentive (formerly known as Attention Deficit Disorder) and hyperactive/impulsive. Inattentive ADHD symptoms include lack of attention to detail, difficulty focusing, and trouble completing tasks. Hyperactive ADHD symptoms include fidgeting, excessive talking, and difficulty staying seated. ADHD affects both males and females, but females are often underdiagnosed, while males are overdiagnosed.
๐งช The Science Behind ADHD Diagnoses and Treatments
ADHD diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation by clinicians such as pediatricians, psychologists, or psychiatrists. Two main treatments exist: medication and psychotherapy. Methylphenidate and amphetamine are commonly prescribed, targeting the prefrontal cortex to improve concentration by keeping hormones like dopamine in the synaptic cleft for longer periods. Both medications are effective, though individualized prescriptions are necessary. Psychotherapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and behavioral therapy, helps with organization, planning, and self-esteem. Recent research, including video games designed to enhance neurocognitive functions, shows promise in helping children with ADHD.
๐ ADHD Resources and Support Systems
There are numerous resources available for individuals experiencing ADHD symptoms. Institutions like McMaster University offer services such as Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and ADHD focus groups. Other resources include organizations like CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), ADDitude, How to ADHD, and the National Resource Center on ADHD, which operates a call center to provide support. Raising awareness and educating oneself on ADHD is essential for reducing stigma and understanding the condition more fully.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
๐กInattentive Type (ADD)
๐กHyperactive Type
๐กExecutive Functioning
๐กDopamine
๐กMethylphenidate
๐กCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
๐กGender Disparity in ADHD Diagnosis
๐กProject Evo
๐กPrefrontal Cortex
Highlights
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects executive functioning in the brain.
Research suggests that genetics may contribute to ADHD, with 75% of children with ADHD having a relative with the disorder.
There are two types of ADHD: inattentive (ADD) and hyperactive (ADHD), each with distinct symptoms.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms include trouble focusing, distraction while listening, and making careless mistakes.
Hyperactive ADHD symptoms include fidgeting, excessive talking, and difficulty staying seated.
ADHD is not a sex-specific disorder, but males are overdiagnosed while females are underdiagnosed.
Clinic studies by the CDC show a male-to-female ratio of 2:1 in ADHD diagnoses for children aged 5 to 17.
Females are often misdiagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders instead of ADHD.
ADHD diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation by clinicians like pediatricians or psychologists.
Two main medications for ADHD are methylphenidate and amphetamine, which target the brain's prefrontal cortex.
These medications work by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine to help improve attention and focus.
Both medications are equally effective and prescribed on an individual basis, according to research by Hodgkin and colleagues.
Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is another effective treatment option for ADHD.
Recent research shows that video games, like Project Evo, could help improve attention and working memory in children with ADHD.
Several resources for ADHD include McMaster University's student accessibility services, CHADD, and the National Resource Center on ADHD.
Transcripts
mental health disorders can impact an
individual's daily life today we will be
talking about the ADHD brain attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD
is a commonly misunderstood mental
health condition and one that we will be
discussing today ADHD is recognized in
the DSM manual for mental health
conditions it is characterized as a
neurodevelopmental disorder that affects
the executive functioning of the brain
research suggests that genetics could
play a role in contributing to ADHD with
statistics saying that 75% of children
with ADHD have a relative with the
disorder there are two types of ADHD
inattentive also called attention
deficit disorder and hyperactive or ADHD
depending on the type the symptoms can
differ individuals who have the
inattentive type of ADHD can experience
symptoms such as not paying close
attention to details or making careless
mistakes trouble focusing on tasks or
conversations distraction while
listening not following instructions and
not completing tasks individuals who
have the hyperactive or impulsive type
of ADHD can experience symptoms such as
fidgeting tapping hands or feet not
being able to stay seated and talking
too much these symptoms present
themselves equally in males and females
and ADHD is not a sex specific disorder
however females are under diagnosed and
males are over diagnosed with ADHD in
fact clinic based studies by the CDC
have recorded a male-to-female ratio of
about 2 to 1 in ADHD diagnoses
specifically in children that are aged 5
to 17 years old you have perhaps heard
that ADHD is a male disorder this is
definitely a myth there is a notion that
hyperactivity is a male characteristic
and as a result males are often over
diagnosed females are misdiagnosed with
emotionally based psychiatric illnesses
such as anxiety and mood disorders as of
right now diagnoses of 80
she occurs through a comprehensive
evaluation by a clinician who could be a
pediatrician psychologist or a
psychiatrist there are two routes of
treatment for ADHD the first route is
medication the two medications used to
treat ADHD are methylphenidate and unfed
Amin both medications target the
prefrontal cortex of the brain which is
responsible for executive functions
hormones like dopamine and
norepinephrine travel across the neuron
through the synaptic cleft the
longed-for hormone stays in the synaptic
cleft the longer its affects our
dopamine helps with concentration under
normal conditions
dopamine's days in the synaptic cleft
for long enough to allow a person to
concentrate
however in individuals with ADHD
hormones like dopamine don't stay in the
synaptic cleft for a long period of time
making it hard for them to concentrate
methylphenidate and amphetamine work by
inhibiting the reuptake of these
hormones from the synaptic cleft by
blocking their receptors so that they
can stay there for longer thereby
helping with ADHD symptoms specifically
attention and thinking recent research
like the one conducted by Hodgkin and
colleagues in 2012 concluded that both
medications are equally as effective as
each other and they are prescribed on an
individual basis in addition to
medication psychotherapy is considered
to be another route for treatment
cognitive behavioral therapy CBT and
behavioral therapy are two areas of
psychotherapy that can help improve
behavior self control and self esteem
and ADHD patients psychotherapy sessions
focus on three core areas including
organization and planning
distractibility and cognitive
restructuring recent research is looking
at how video games could help with ADHD
symptoms in children a proof-of-concept
study was conducted by Davis and
colleagues at the Duke University School
of Medicine a video game called Project
Evo was developed with high quality
graphics and reward loops designed to be
engaging for children and to address the
underlying areas of neuro cognitive
functioning that are impacted in ADHD
the results showed that 84% of treatment
sessions were completed and that the
intervention was appealing and well
accepted
significant improvements were found in
the computerised attention task for the
ADHD group and highly ADHD impaired
severity subgroup improvements were also
found in spatial working memory for the
ADHD group and the highly impaired ADHD
high severity subgroup while there was
no change for the non ADHD group the
findings from this study hold promise
that this treatment could help children
with ADHD and it is currently under
review by the FDA several resources also
exists to help those experiencing
symptoms of ADHD McMaster University has
resources like the student accessibility
services for SAS and ADHD focus groups
that individuals can participate in
other general resources are children and
adults with 8 attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder attitude totally
a DD how to ADHD and the National
Resource Center on ADHD which also
operates a call center that has trained
staff to answer questions about ADHD
everyone should educate themselves about
mental health conditions like ADHD and
avoid believe in common myths we hope
this video clarified what ADHD really is
and the struggles that somebody has
going through it thank you for watching
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