Effects of ADHD
ADHD in Adolescence and Childhood: 1
Impact on Learning:
Impact of Daily Life:
Children with ADHD have an increase risk of:
Impact on Learning:
- Studies found that students with ADHD, compared to students without ADHD, had persistent academic difficulties that resulted in the following: lower average marks, more failed grades, more expulsions, increased dropout rates, and a lower rate of college undergraduate completion (Weiss & Hechtman as cited in Johnston, 2002; Ingersoll, 1988).
- The disruptive behavior sometimes associated with the disorder may make students with ADHD more susceptible to suspensions and expulsions. A study by Barkley and colleagues (1990b) found that 46 percent of their student study group with ADHD had been suspended and 11 percent had been expelled.
- Students with ADHD have difficulty sustaining attention to a task may contribute to missing important details in assignments, daydreaming during lectures and other activities, and difficulty organizing assignments. Most children with ADHD have a hard time focusing on activities they find boring such as cleaning, planning, and doing homework. Most don't have a problem focusing on activities they find really interesting or exciting.
- Many children with ADHD have difficulty switching from one activity to another. They may complain about having to move on to something else, physically resist their parents, or throw tantrums in unfamiliar places.
- Hyperactivity may be expressed in either verbal or physical disruptions in class.
- Impulsivity may lead to careless errors, responding to questions without fully formulating the best answers, and only attending to activities that are entertaining or novel.
- Overall, students with ADHD may experience more problems with school performance than their non disabled peers.
Impact of Daily Life:
Children with ADHD have an increase risk of:
- Injury
- A higher percentage of parents of children with ADHD reported non-fatal injuries (4.5% vs. 2.5% for healthy children).
- Children with ADHD, compared to children without ADHD, were more likely to have major injuries (59% vs. 49%), hospital inpatient (26% vs. 18%), hospital outpatient (41% vs. 33%), or emergency department admission (81% vs. 74%).
- Data from international samples suggest that young people with high levels of attention difficulties are at greater risk of involvement in a motor vehicle crash, drinking and driving, and traffic violations.
- Social Problems with Peers
- Parents of children with a history of ADHD report almost 3 times as many peer problems as those without a history of ADHD (21.1% vs. 7.3%).
- Parents report that children with a history of ADHD are almost 10 times as likely to have difficulties that interfere with friendships (20.6% vs. 2.0%).
- Comorbidity
- About 70% of those diagnosed with ADHD are also diagnosed with other disorders such as: mood disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, and conduct disorders
ADHD in Adulthood: 2
- About 4.4% of American adults have ADHD according to a 2006 study reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry
- 49% of adults who are diagnosed with ADHD in childhood continued to have marked symptoms of the condition at age 22
Most ADHD in adults goes without diagnosis or treatment. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can cause many problems in all aspects of life: 3
- Physical and Mental Health Problems
- The symptoms of ADHD can contribute to a variety of health problems, including compulsive eating, substance abuse, anxiety, chronic stress and tension, and low self-esteem. You may also run into trouble due to neglecting important check-ups, skipping doctor appointments, ignoring medical instructions, and forgetting to take vital medications.
- Work and Financial Difficulties
- Adults with ADD/ADHD often experience career difficulties and feel a strong sense of underachievement. You may have trouble keeping a job, following corporate rules, meeting deadlines, and sticking to a 9-to-5 routine. Managing finances may also be a problem: you may struggle with unpaid bills, lost paperwork, late fees, or debt due to impulsive spending.
- Relationship Problems:
- The symptoms of ADD/ADHD can put a strain on your work, love, and family relationships. You may be fed up with constant nagging from loved ones to tidy up, listen more closely, or get organized. Those close to you, on the other hand, may feel hurt and resentful over your perceived “irresponsibility” or “insensitivity.”
Sources:
1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mentail Disorders. Fifth Edition: DSM-5. Washington: American Psychiatric Association, 2013
2. Langwith, J. (2009). Attention defecit hyperactivity disorder (1 ed.). Christine Nasso.
3. Smith, M. M., & Segal, R. M. (2013, December). Adult ADD/ADHD. Retrieved from Help Guide: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_adult_symptoms.htm
1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mentail Disorders. Fifth Edition: DSM-5. Washington: American Psychiatric Association, 2013
2. Langwith, J. (2009). Attention defecit hyperactivity disorder (1 ed.). Christine Nasso.
3. Smith, M. M., & Segal, R. M. (2013, December). Adult ADD/ADHD. Retrieved from Help Guide: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_adult_symptoms.htm