Link between ADHD and Criminal Behavior Research Paper

Link between ADHD and Criminal Behavior - Research Paper Example However, recent studies have indicated that there is a correlation between this disorder and criminal behavior. It is evident that ADHD leads to the onset and development of criminal activities. This paper discusses how ADHD causes criminal behavior. It analyzes the various aspects of ADHD that indicates and causes criminal behavior. It provides the premise that several ADHD related behaviors like drug abuse, bullying, poor self-control, personality disorders as well as depression and anxiety leads to criminality. The paper also evaluates the prevalence of ADHD induced criminality according to age and gender. In this regard, it explains concerning the prevalence of criminal behavior between males and females as well as between adults and youths. Introduction Unnever & Cornell (2003) indicate that Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent neurobehavioral childhood disorder. In addition, this disorder is the most common condition that mostly affects schoolch ildren. The major signs of ADHD comprise hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattentiveness. Moreover, it is evident that occurrence rates for ADHD in the general population of young teenagers and children range from 4% to 12%, with high rates for city areas, boys, and those from low Social economic backgrounds. Many researchers have indicated that there have been continued link between psychiatric disorders and antisocial disorders in children. Since ADHD starts early in children, there is the possibility of this condition extending into adult-hood and breed criminal behavior. Research has also termed this disorder as the developmental forerunner of later disruptive behavior and criminality. In addition, there is a connection between ADHD and conduct or personality disorders. It is evident that ADHD causes this personality and conduct disorders which later leads to criminality. For instance, recent studies performed on prisoners in western nations have indicated that approximately half of the inmates tested positive to the diagnoses of serious antisocial personality disorder or conduct disorder when imprisoned. In addition, enduring evaluation researches have established that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) merged with conduct disorder is a forerunner of later criminal behavior (Mordre et al., 2011). Connection of ADHD with Criminal Behavior Ghanizadeh et al. (2011) portray three major areas, which describe the clear connection of ADHD with criminal behavior. In the first premise, they claim that ADHD might lead to delinquent activities consequently attracting imprisonment. The second premise entails the relationship between ADHD and conduct disorder. In this regard, they note that there is a strong connection between the high rate of conduct behavior and the prevalence of ADHD. This means that most patients with ADHD show symptoms of conduct disorder, which primarily indicates the onset of criminal behavior. The third premise is that imprisonment and offender behavior may lead to ADHD and conduct disorder. Several researchers have established that there is a positive link between youths who have ADHD and criminal activities. This means that the young generation, mostly the children and teenagers are the most in danger of engaging in criminal activities due to ADHD. Considerable research has also indicated that prevalence of ADHD in teenagers might cause spontaneous, unconscious behavior that frequently overpowers an adolescent’s sense of self-control. This unconscious behavior makes the teenager to undertake some actions that are not right and without consciously knowing. This is because the teenager lacks the self-control to handle the situations surrounding him or her. However, since this disorder starts early in c