Understanding Aggressive Behavior 'in Children with ADHD

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent behavioral disorder among children, adolescents, and adults, and is one of the most popularly diagnosed disorders today. Ranging from impulsive, inattentive, and aggressive behaviors this disorder contributes to major disruptions in peer relationships and family relationships. This paper begins with a basic understanding of the genetic and biological origin of the disorder as well as the role of emotion regulation as an origin of the disorder. Emotion regulation entails the ability to evaluate the appropriate emotions to express in social situations, a skill that ADHD children lack. The association of aggressive behavior and ADHD children is the central focus, with an understanding of the relationship aggression has with peer relationships, family relationships, . and with other disruptive disorders such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD). The research in this paper concludes that aggressive behavior among ADHD children is detrimental to the ability to create friendships as well as detrimental to a family dynamic when trying to raise a child with ADHD. With the inclusion of ODD and CD ADHD children are seen as essentially more aggressive in behavior and find peer relationships and relationships with family even more debilitating.