Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD) - causes, symptoms & pathology

Osmosis from Elsevier
14 Mar 201606:09
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe transcript discusses the misconceptions about Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), clarifying that they are the same condition. It explains that ADHD is categorized into three subtypes: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or both, with symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. The causes of ADHD are complex, involving a combination of environmental and genetic factors, with a genetic component suggested by family history. Treatment involves behavioral psychotherapy and medication, with stimulants being the most common medication due to their effect on neurotransmitters like dopamine. The script emphasizes that ADHD medications work by increasing dopamine levels in a controlled manner, unlike illicit stimulants.

Takeaways
  • 📌 ADD and ADHD are synonymous, with ADD being an outdated term that has evolved to encompass ADHD symptoms, which include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.
  • 📌 The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) categorizes ADHD into three subtypes: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or both, with a set of nine symptoms for each.
  • 📌 A diagnosis of ADHD is given when an individual exhibits 6 of the 9 symptoms for at least 6 months, and the symptoms must not be age-appropriate for the individual.
  • 📌 ADHD is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, with symptoms typically starting between ages 6 and 12 and continuing into adulthood.
  • 📌 The causes of ADHD are complex, involving a combination of environmental and genetic factors, with a genetic component suggested by the likelihood of ADHD in siblings with the condition.
  • 📌 ADHD is not caused by a single gene but likely involves multiple genes that affect the production or regulation of neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine and norepinephrine.
  • 📌 Neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, play a crucial role in ADHD symptoms, with lower levels of these neurotransmitters contributing to the condition.
  • 📌 Treatment for ADHD can vary, with behavioral psychotherapy and medication being common approaches. Behavioral strategies focus on time management, organizational skills, and reducing distractions.
  • 📌 Medications for ADHD primarily include stimulants that work by increasing the release of dopamine, but they are designed to release it slowly and safely, unlike illicit stimulants like methamphetamine.
  • 📌 ADHD medications are chemically similar to illicit stimulants but differ in their release mechanism, with ADHD medications causing a slow and controlled release of dopamine.
Q & A

  • What is the relationship between ADD and ADHD?

    -ADD and ADHD are actually synonymous; they refer to the same condition. ADD was an outdated term used before 1987, and since then, it has evolved into ADHD to include a broader range of symptoms.

  • What are the three subtypes of ADHD as described in the DSM-5?

    -The three subtypes of ADHD are inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and a combination of both. The DSM-5, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fifth edition, outlines these categories.

  • What are some symptoms of the inattentive subtype of ADHD?

    -Symptoms of the inattentive subtype of ADHD may include making careless mistakes, not listening, and being easily distracted.

  • Can you describe symptoms associated with the hyperactive-impulsive subtype of ADHD?

    -Symptoms of the hyperactive-impulsive subtype can include fidgeting, squirming, or frequently getting up from a chair.

  • How many symptoms are required for a diagnosis of ADHD, and for how long must they be present?

    -A diagnosis of ADHD requires that an individual exhibits six out of nine symptoms for at least six months.

  • At what age do ADHD symptoms typically begin, and what is the criterion regarding age-appropriate behavior?

    -ADHD symptoms typically begin between the ages of 6 and 12, and the behavior should not be age-appropriate.

  • What factors are believed to contribute to the development of ADHD?

    -ADHD is thought to be influenced by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Genetic clues include a higher likelihood of ADHD development in siblings, especially identical twins.

  • How do neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine relate to ADHD?

    -Dopamine and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters involved in reward, risk-taking, impulsivity, attention, and arousal. It is believed that lower levels of these neurotransmitters may contribute to ADHD symptoms.

  • What is the role of behavioral psychotherapy in treating ADHD, especially in children?

    -Behavioral psychotherapy for children with ADHD focuses on teaching time management and organizational skills, often through structured routines and rewards for adherence to these routines. Involvement of parents and teachers is also crucial.

  • What types of medications are typically prescribed for ADHD, and how do they work?

    -Stimulants are the first-line medication options for ADHD. They work by increasing the number of neurotransmitters like dopamine between neurons, which helps reduce ADHD symptoms.

  • How do ADHD medications differ from illicit stimulants like methamphetamine?

    -ADHD medications and illicit stimulants like methamphetamine both increase the release of dopamine, but ADHD medications cause a slow and controlled release, whereas methamphetamine causes a rapid and disruptive surge, leading to euphoria and addiction.

Outlines
00:00
🧠 Understanding ADHD: Symptoms and Subtypes

This paragraph clarifies misconceptions about ADD and ADHD, explaining that they are synonymous terms. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) recognizes three subtypes of ADHD: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined type. A diagnosis requires the presence of at least six out of nine symptoms for at least six months. The paragraph also touches on the genetic component of ADHD, noting the increased likelihood of the disorder in siblings, especially identical twins, and the role of multiple genes influencing neurotransmitter regulation.

05:04
💊 ADHD Medication: Balancing Neurotransmitters

This paragraph discusses the treatment options for ADHD, emphasizing the importance of behavioral psychotherapy and medication. Behavioral therapy is tailored to children, focusing on time management and organizational skills, with structured routines and rewards. For adults, it may concentrate on reducing distractions and improving organization. Medication, often the first line of treatment, typically involves stimulants that increase neurotransmitter levels, particularly dopamine, to alleviate ADHD symptoms. The paragraph contrasts ADHD medications, which release dopamine slowly and controllably, with illicit stimulants like methamphetamine, which cause a rapid and disruptive surge of dopamine, leading to addiction.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡ADD
ADD stands for Attention Deficit Disorder. It was an outdated term used before 1987 to describe individuals who had difficulty focusing. In the context of the video, it is clarified that ADD and ADHD are synonymous, and the term ADD has since evolved into ADHD to better represent the range of symptoms experienced by individuals.
💡ADHD
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. The term ADHD is used in the video to describe the current understanding of the condition, which includes a broader spectrum of symptoms than the outdated term ADD.
💡Inattentive subtype
The inattentive subtype of ADHD is one of the three subtypes mentioned in the video, characterized by symptoms such as making careless mistakes, not listening, or being easily distracted. This subtype is significant as it represents one of the key manifestations of ADHD and is part of the criteria for diagnosis.
💡Hyperactive-impulsive subtype
The hyperactive-impulsive subtype of ADHD is another subtype characterized by symptoms like fidgeting, squirming, or frequently getting up from a chair. The video explains that these behaviors are more than just occasional; they must be present to a degree that is not age-appropriate.
💡Combined subtype
The combined subtype of ADHD is mentioned in the video as the most common form in children, where symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity are present. This subtype is important for understanding the varied presentations of ADHD in individuals.
💡Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are signaling molecules in the brain that facilitate communication between neurons. In the context of ADHD, neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine are thought to play a role in the disorder due to their involvement in reward, risk-taking, attention, and arousal. The video suggests that imbalances in these neurotransmitters may contribute to ADHD symptoms.
💡Dopamine
Dopamine is a specific neurotransmitter highlighted in the video that is released in the brain during behaviors associated with rewards, risk-taking, and impulsivity. It is suggested that lower levels of dopamine may be linked to ADHD symptoms, and medications used to treat ADHD work by increasing dopamine levels between neurons.
💡Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine is another neurotransmitter discussed in the video that is involved in attention and arousal. Similar to dopamine, it is believed that a deficiency in norepinephrine may contribute to the symptoms of ADHD, affecting an individual's ability to focus and remain alert.
💡Behavioral psychotherapy
Behavioral psychotherapy is a treatment approach for ADHD mentioned in the video, which focuses on teaching individuals better time management and organizational skills. It is particularly targeted at children and involves structured routines and rewards, as well as the involvement of parents and teachers.
💡Stimulants
Stimulants are a class of medications used to treat ADHD, as discussed in the video. They are the first-line treatment options and work by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine between neurons. The video clarifies that while these medications are chemically similar to illicit stimulants, they release dopamine in a slow and controlled manner, which helps improve focus and attention without causing euphoria or addiction.
💡Genetic factors
Genetic factors are discussed in the video as one of the potential contributors to ADHD. The script mentions that children with a sibling diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to develop it themselves, and this likelihood increases if the siblings are identical twins. This suggests a genetic component to the disorder, although the specific genes involved and their interactions with environmental factors are complex and not fully understood.
💡Environmental factors
Environmental factors are also mentioned in the video as playing a role in the development of ADHD alongside genetic factors. While the exact environmental influences are not detailed, the video implies that they interact with genetic predispositions to contribute to the disorder. This highlights the complexity of ADHD's etiology and the multifaceted approach needed for understanding and treating it.
Highlights

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are synonymous; ADD is an outdated term used before 1987.

ADHD encompasses symptoms of inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.

According to the DSM-5, ADHD is categorized into three subtypes: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined.

Inattentive subtype symptoms include making careless mistakes, not listening, and being easily distracted.

Hyperactive-impulsive subtype symptoms include fidgeting, squirming, and frequently getting up from one's chair.

A diagnosis of ADHD requires having six out of nine symptoms for either subtype for at least six months.

Symptoms must have started between ages six and twelve and be inappropriate for the individual's age.

ADHD is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Children with siblings diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to develop the disorder, especially if they are identical twins.

Multiple genes likely influence ADHD severity, affecting the production or regulation of brain neurotransmitters.

Lower levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine are thought to contribute to ADHD symptoms.

Treatment often includes behavioral psychotherapy, medication, or both.

Behavioral psychotherapy for children involves teaching time management and organizational skills, with structured routines and rewards.

For adults, behavioral psychotherapy focuses on reducing distractions and improving organizational skills.

Stimulant medications for ADHD increase neurotransmitter levels, improving focus and attention through controlled dopamine release.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
ADHDAttention DisorderHyperactivityImpulsivenessNeurodevelopmentGeneticsBehavioral TherapyMedicationPsychotherapyChildhood Symptoms