MFT-5106 Personal Clinical Focus My Personal Clinical Focus I. Presenting problem. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, often known as ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental condition that is defined by patterns of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity that operate as a barrier to functioning or growth. This condition can start in childhood and continue throughout maturity. Due to the complexity of ADHD and its potential influence on individuals, families, and relationships, as well as its relevance to my expertise in marriage and family therapy (MFT), I have decided to focus on this area as my personal clinical focus (PCF). II. prevalence/incidence One of the most common neurodevelopmental diseases in children in the US is ADHD, which affects children aged 2–17 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). The prevalence of ADHD is approximately 9.4% among children in this age range. With a ratio of around 2:1, boys are diagnosed with the condition more frequently than females. However, it is essential to keep in mind that ADHD may also affect adults, and the prevalence of the condition in adults is thought to be somewhere around 4%. III. Common symptoms/issues associated with this problem? ADHD is characterized by two primary symptom clusters: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. Some of the symptoms of inattention include having trouble maintaining attention when doing tasks or participating in play activities, failing to follow directions, and being quickly distracted by stimuli that are not directly related to the activity at hand (Dobrosavljevic et al., 2023). A few of the symptoms that may be associated with hyperactivity-impulsivity are fidgeting, having trouble keeping sitting, and interrupting or intruding on other people. It is possible that these symptoms will cause difficulties in the areas of education, job, and social interactions. IV. who experiences this presenting problem? There is some variation in the frequency of ADHD among different demographic groups, despite the fact that it affects people of all ages, genders, and races. As an illustration, males are diagnosed with the condition more frequently than girls, and there may be variations in the way symptoms manifest themselves depending on the gender (Retz et al., 2021). Diagnosing ADHD in children is very prevalent, although it can continue into adulthood, with an estimated frequency of 4% among adults. V. Clinical significance of this presenting problem In the absence of treatment, ADHD can affect individuals, couples/families, and society as a whole. Individuals who have ADHD may have challenges in social connections, may have difficulties in school or job environments, and may be at a heightened risk for various mental health concerns (Faraone et al., 2023). It is also possible for untreated ADHD to result in a variety of undesirable consequences, including as substance misuse, academic underachievement, and participation with the criminal justice system. VI. How those experiencing this presenting problem might enter People who have ADHD can access therapy in a number of different ways, including on their own, as part of a pair, or as part of a family. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023), referral sources may include primary care physicians, school counselors, or other experts employed in the subject of mental health and wellness. In order for therapists to be able to give effective treatment and support, it is essential for them to have understanding about ADHD and its effects on individuals and families. References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023, October 16). Attention-Deficit / hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/index.html#:~:text=People%20with%20ADHD%20m ay%20have,improve%20as%20the%20child%20ages. Dobrosavljevic, M., Larsson, H., & Cortese, S. (2023). The diagnosis and treatment of attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in older adults. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 23(10), 883–893. https://doi.org/10.1080/14737175.2023.2250913 Faraone, S. V., & Radonjić, N. V. (2023). Neurobiology of attention deficit hyperactivity Disorder. In Springer eBooks (pp. 1–28). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42825-9_331 Hinshaw, S. P. (2018). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): controversy, developmental mechanisms, and multiple levels of analysis. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 14(1), 291–316. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-050817-084917 Retz, W., Ginsberg, Y., Turner, D., Barra, S., Retz-Junginger, P., Larsson, H., & Asherson, P. (2021). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), antisociality and delinquent behavior over the lifespan. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 120, 236–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.11.025 
Purchase answer to see full attachment