Introduction
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most common complications that affect children. It is considered a chronic and debilitating disease that oftentimes lasts into adulthood (Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, n.d.). ADHD can affect an individual’s life including their academic and professional accomplishments, interpersonal relationships, and daily operations. It is viewed as a universal condition that attacks many children across the world, and its impact transcends cultural, socioeconomic, and racial boundaries. Although its diagnosis in little ones is difficult with no specific tests, education, parental skills training, medication, and behavior therapy are the recommended standard treatments.
The Number of Children with ADHD
ADHD is usually difficult to detect among infants and it is first identified in school-aged children because, at this phase in their lives, it causes them disruption in the classroom or learning processes. In most cases, it is normally diagnosed among boys than girls due to the variations in how the signs manifest in the two genders (American Psychiatric Association, 2023). Males tend to have hyperactivity and other externalizing symptoms, while females are always inactive.
The prevalence of ADHD across the globe differs because various studies have been conducted using separate research techniques. However, some published statistics generally estimate that the disorder affects about 7.2% of young ones around the world (Wolraich et al., 2019). On the other hand, other surveys that used community-based cases approximate that between 8.7% and 15.5% of little ones suffer from the condition globally (Wolraich et al., 2019). Nonetheless, the frequency of ADHD among infants in Norway, Germany, and Spain is recorded at 1.9%, 1.8%, and 5.4%, respectively (ADHD Institute, 2022). Furthermore, epidemiological research of 20 countries from the World Health Organization narrowing world mental health found higher rates of ADHD among children and adolescents in the United States at 8.1% (ADHD Institute, 2022). Romania, Poland, and Iraq registered the lowest number of 0.4%, 0.3%, and 0.1% (ADHD Institute, 2022). This assessment took into consideration the socioeconomic status such as high-, upper-middle-, and low-/lower-middle-income.
In the United States alone, the statistics from the center for diseases control (CDC) revealed different prevalence rates among children of different age groups. The country’s national survey conducted in 2016 shows that 9.4% of young ones aged between 2 and 17 years had been diagnosed with ADHD (Melissa et al., 2018). This number represents about 6.1 million with those living in rural found to be more likely to suffer from the disorder (Melissa et al., 2018). On the contrary, the findings indicated that those in the countryside have fewer chances of getting treatment compared to their counterparts in towns and cities of America.
Diagnosis of ADHD
The diagnosis of this condition among children has over the years posed serious challenges to medics. In some cases, the kids have sometimes been assessed before the age of six years (Wolraich et al., 2019). Conflicting manifestation of ADHD signs at different stages of the children’s growth makes it difficult for healthcare personnel to accurately identify the disorder in them. Interestingly, boys are two times more likely to get diagnosed with ADHD than girls because hyperactive behaviors are easily viewed more regularly in males. On the other hand, there is evidence showing that females with ADHD have higher chances of getting infected with conditions such as anxiety and depression (Wolraich et al., 2019). Since 2011, research has been carried out and a manual for tests of mental disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) has been developed. However, it does not support radical changes to the procedures that have been used before Wolraich, 2019. These DSM-5 updates include the integration of important steps in the assessment and treatment of simultaneous disorders in babies and teenagers with ADHD.
Even though symptoms of ADHD at times appear in pre-school-age children or even in toddlers, its examination is always difficult among them. This is primarily because, in some cases, the children’s developmental challenges like language delays may be confused for the disorder (Mayo Clinic, 2023). Therefore, it requires that all suspected aspects of the condition among the little ones be investigated by either psychologist or psychiatrist, speech pathologist, or developmental pediatrician before any conclusion is made. Despite the lack of any clear and specific test procedures for ADHD, the investigations normally involve medical examinations, information gathering on personal and family history, school records, interviews, and rating scales.
Impact of ADHD on the Population
Children with ADHD struggle with issues such as paying attention, controlling impulses, and being excessively active. Additionally, 4 out of 10 young adults with the condition always suffer from other behavioral health disorders (Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, 2019). This leads to damages incurred by the victims in many facets of their lives, which consequently impacts their siblings, and parents and causes disruptions to family and marital functioning. The probability of ADHD persisting among those infected into their adulthood has the potential of ruining their professional and personal lives (Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, 2019). Furthermore, its inherent occurrence in children for a long period is linked with increased healthcare costs for patients and their family members. Likewise, as ADHD stays untreated over many years, it leads to impairment that necessitates social isolation, dropping out of school, and activities, inability to bond with others, accidental injuries, depression, stress, and drug abuse.
There is little evidence on the socioeconomic burden of ADHD and currently, no single study has monetized the effects of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD. Despite the gaps, it seems that ADHD persistence among children within different populations could create a big social and economic challenge to families, communities, and society at large. It invokes problems across all areas of individuals’ lives such as daily routines, health, and well-being, education, work, personal relationships, risk-taking, and crime. In terms of an economic perspective, the annual cost of managing the condition could run into billions (Vibert, 2018). However, statistics show that most of the costs incurred are associated with adults more than children. For example, those suffering from the disorder are likely not to get employed in full-time paying jobs. As a result, it reduces their spending powers and impedes the government from getting taxes, while spending more on their welfare.
Addressing the impact of ADHD on the population
Early diagnosis and intervention are key in helping societies cope with and manage the burden of ADHD. Currently, knowledge about the condition is poor among many communities because both parents and teachers in schools have no basic idea about ADHD (Vibert, 2018). Therefore, there is a need for increased awareness campaigns to enlighten and sensitize them about this disease. Governments should establish a working relationship with both media and citizens to roll out educational programs that aim to broaden ADHD visibility to many audiences so they can understand the issue better. The plans must include the lifestyles and eating habits that are the drivers of illness among children as well as the best way to assist them in their development.
Effective Treatment for Children of Different Ages
Treatments vary depending on the ages of the patient that are normally categorized into groups. For preschool-aged children (age years from 4 to 6), the best prescription is evidence-based behavioral classroom interventions. However, methylphenidate could be used if the therapies do not result in significant improvement. The children in middle school ages ( years from 6 to 12) require food and drug administration (FDA), certified medication, together behavioral classroom interventions (Wolraich et al.., 2019). In addition, they need individualized educational support, including school environment as well as class and instructional placement. Adolescents (age years from 12 to 18) should be given FDA alongside evidence-based training interventions and a well-coordinated rehabilitation plan (Wolraich et al., 2019). Furthermore, behavioral therapy involves teaching parents or guardians to always influence the incidents in surroundings to improve the conduct of the young ones in all settings is recommended.
For medication, preschool children normally exhibit increased mood volatility with stimulus drugs and it is equally not recommended to give them non-stimulus as well medication for ADHD. However, those in the school-going bracket can effectively use stimulant medicines such as atomoxetine, extended-release guanfacine, and clonidine (Wolraich et al., 2019). Since each patient responds to treatment differently, pharmacogenetics tools should be used to predict the best medication and dose for each child or adolescent.
ADHD Treatment for Different Communities
ADHD involves biological, environmental, and genetic aspects of human life. For example, there is a gene prevalence of 80% in many families (Ghoshal, 2020). Furthermore, there are cultural aspects such as stigma, negative attitudes to medication, unpleasant children’s behaviors, and mistrust of medics. On the other hand, social-cultural disparities including language barriers and racial biases can lead to poor treatment for some patients (Ghoshal, 2020). Therefore, physicians must avoid stereotyping societal perceptions and they should strive to understand the norms of different ethnicities to enhance their patient-family interactions.
Conclusion
ADHD is a universal condition affecting many children, and its impact transcends cultural, socioeconomic, and racial boundaries. Although its diagnosis in little ones is difficult with no specific tests, education, parental skills training, medication, and behavior therapy are the recommended standard treatments. Firstly, its examination among children is difficult due to conflicting signs at different stages of their development, however, boys are two times more likely to get diagnosed with ADHD than girls because the hyperactive behaviors appear more in them. Furthermore, ADHD affects children in many facets of their lives, which consequently impacts their siblings, and parents and causes disruptions to family functioning. Economically, it reduces the spending powers of communities and impedes the government from getting taxes, while using more on their welfare. Its therapy varies with age, but the usual interventions are practical behavioral classroom intercession, and individualized learning aid including school domain, class, and pedagogical placement alongside stimulus and non-stimulus medication. Lastly, physicians should avoid stereotyping societal perceptions and they must strive to understand the norms of different ethnicities to enhance their patient-family interactions.
References
ADHD Institute. (2022). What is the prevalence of ADHD? Web.
American Psychiatric Association. (2021). What is ADHD? Web.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. (2019). The impact of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on the health of America’s children. Web.
Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. (n.d.). What is ADHD? cdc.gov. Web.
Ghoshal, M. (2020). ADHD assessments and cultural impact – Diagnosis and treatment in BIPOC patients: A special report. Psycompro. Web.
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Web.
Melissa, L. D. (2018). Prevalence of parent-reported ADHD diagnosis and associated treatment among U.S. children and adolescents, 2016. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 47 (2). Web.
Vibert, S. (2018). The social and economic impact of ADHD. Demos. Web.
Wolraich, M. L., et al. (2019). Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. American Academy of Pediatrics. Web.