Lecture Notes on Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Overview of ADD and ADHD

Common Understanding:
- ADD is often thought to mean inability to focus.
- ADHD is seen as ADD with hyperactivity.
Terminology:
- ADD is an outdated term, replaced by ADHD in 1987.
- ADHD includes symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.

Inattentive: 9 symptoms
- Examples: careless mistakes, not listening, easily distracted.
Hyperactive-Impulsive: 9 symptoms
- Examples: fidgeting, getting up frequently from seats.
Combined Subtype: Most common, includes symptoms from both subtypes.
Diagnosis Criteria:
- Must have 6 of the 9 symptoms for at least 6 months.
- Symptoms typically start between ages 6 and 12.
- Behavior must be inappropriate for their age.

Complex Factors:
- Interaction of environmental and genetic factors.
Genetic Clue:
- Higher likelihood in families, especially among identical twins.
- Suggests a genetic component, but not a single gene responsible.
Neurotransmitters:
- Multiple genes influence levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine.
- Lower levels of these neurotransmitters may contribute to ADHD symptoms.

Behavioral Psychotherapy:
- Targets children and focuses on time management, organizational skills, and structured routines.
- Involves parents and teachers for effective management.
For Adults:
- Focus on decreasing distractions and improving organizational skills.
Medications:
- First-line options are stimulants, which increase neurotransmitter levels.
- Common ADHD medications have a slow release of dopamine, unlike illicit stimulants (e.g., methamphetamine).
- Medications help improve focus and attention without the rapid, disruptive dopamine spikes seen with illicit drugs.

Research: Ongoing studies on the exact causes and treatment of ADHD.
Community Support: Mention of ways to support the channel through donations and social media sharing.