Hyperactivity in a group of children referred to a Scottish Child Guidance Service: a significant problem

Relationship between ADHD and depression among university students in macedonia

INTRODUCTION

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder usually diagnosed in children, with appearance of the first symptoms before the age of seven years. The disorder is characterized by inattention and/or impulsivity and hyperactivity that can seriously affect many aspects of behavior and performance at school. ADHD can be associated with comorbidities, such as oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety or depression.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was done on a sample of 500 university students. For the measurement of ADHD symptoms, the ADHD Adult Self-report Scale was used and for depression measurement DASS.

RESULTS

The results of this screening study showed that ADHD is highly significant associated with gender (p = 0.0004). Men more often than women have this kind of disorder. Female students have attention subtype deficit, while man student have often hyperactivity/impulsivity disorder and combined subtype due to psychological, temperament and character gender differences among boys and girls. Female examinees are significantly (p=0.028) more often depressed compared to male examinees.

CONCLUSION

The examined correlations are positive ones or direct, meaning that by increasing the values of the scores from both subscales from the Evaluation ADHD Scale one also increases the scores from the Depression Scale, and vice versa. For a value of p=0.001 and p=0.004 these correlations are statistically highly significant, in other words highly important.

Prevalence, gender distribution and presence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by certain sociodemographic characteristics among university students

INTRODUCTION

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder usually diagnosed in children, with appearance of the first symptoms before the age of seven years. The disorder is characterized by inattention and/or impulsivity and hyperactivity that can seriously affect many aspects of behavior and performance at school. Specific sociodemographic characteristics seem to contribute to the appearance of ADHD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was done on a sample of 500 university students. For the measurement of ADHD symptoms, the ADHD Adult Self-report Scale was used and a specifically designed questionnaire for collecting sociodemographic data.

RESULTS

The results of this screening study showed that in 184 (48.7%) respondents the symptoms of the disorder in the activity and attention were registered. ADHD is highly significant associated with gender (p = 0.0004). Men more often than women have this kind of disorder. Our results also showed that living and material conditions were not associated with a higher prevalence of ADHD.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in girls: epidemiology and management

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in girls is a topic of growing research and clinical interest. For many years, girls with ADHD have been ignored and overshadowed by hyperkinetic and impulsive boys, but they are now attracting interest in an effort to understand the similarities and differences in the prevalence, symptoms, familial risk, comorbidities and treatment of ADHD in the two sexes. A review of past and current literature finds that the symptoms of ADHD are not sex specific, but that identification of girls with ADHD is hampered by parental and teacher bias, and confusion. Girls are more likely to be inattentive without being hyperactive or impulsive, compared with boys. Girls and boys share the same familial risk patterns, as well as similar, although not identical, comorbidity or impairment patterns. The risk of non-treatment is as great in girls as it is in boys; up to 70-80% of identified children will have persistent symptoms and impairment that extends into adolescence and adulthood. Treatment modalities are equally effective in girls and boys. Stimulants, non-stimulants and behavioural modalities are the mainstays of effective treatment.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and ethnicity

Despite the large volume of research dedicated to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the influence of ethnicity on the condition is still to be adequately addressed. Previous studies have shown differing rates of ADHD between different countries (although this can be affected by the assessment tool used). Cultural environment may affect a child's behaviour, but the differing attitudes of parents, clinicians, and society around the world towards acceptable behaviour may also influence diagnosis. If assessment criteria could be consistently applied across different ethnic groups, the prevalence of ADHD would probably be similar.