Link between ADHD and Criminal Behavior Research Paper

Link between ADHD and Criminal Behavior - Research Paper Example 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 for 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 beha vior (Mordre et al., 2011). 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.