|
| Did you know? |
 |
Most
parents are concerned about their child's behaviour
at some time during childhood.
However, for some parents their child's behaviour seems
to be out of control, unpredictable, and very difficult
to manage much of the time.
The behaviour may be causing problems with school work
and with making friends. |
|
|
Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Mental Health
return to A index
ADHD
Our community is now more aware that some children who may have
been called 'bad' or 'naughty' may have Attention Deficit Disorder
(ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADD or
ADHD are not the reasons for every type of difficult behaviour in
children. It is important to have a proper assessment, so that the
right kind of help can be given to your child.
While a teenager may have better control over his behaviour, many
children do not 'grow out of' their ADD or ADHD, and they continue
to have problems concentrating in high school.
ADHD is a neurobehavioural disorder characterised by pervasive inattention
and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity and resulting in significant functional
impairment. The year 2000 Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for
Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) provides criteria for diagnosing ADHD.
The criteria are presented here in modified form in order to make
them more accessible to the general public. They are listed here
for information purposes and should be used only by trained health
care providers to diagnose or treat ADHD.
Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been
present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and
inappropriate for developmental level:
- Regularly does not give close attention to details or makes
careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
- Regularly has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
- Regularly does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
- Regularly does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork,
chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behaviour
or failure to understand instructions).
- Regularly has trouble organizing activities.
- Regularly avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that
take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as
schoolwork or homework).
- Regularly loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g.
toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
- Is easily distracted.
- Is forgetful in daily activities.
Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity
have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive
and inappropriate for developmental level:
Hyperactivity
- Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
- Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
- Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate
(adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
- Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.
- Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven
by a motor".
- Often talks excessively.
Impulsivity.
- Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
- Often has trouble waiting one's turn.
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations
or games).
- Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before age
7 years.
- Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more
settings (e.g. at school/work and at home).
- There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social,
school, or work functioning.
The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive
Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder.
The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder
(e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or
a Personality Disorder).
Despite at least 40 years of research worldwide there is no clear
explanation for why ADHD happens in some children.
- • Specialised brain imaging has shown slight differences
in the way that a child's brain works. These cause the child's
brain to deal with some activities, information and feelings in
a different way from other children.
- Family inheritance is part of the explanation of ADD. ADD tends
to 'run in families'. Often other family members also have difficulties
with their behaviour or with learning.
- For some children who have ADHD, some foods (such as sugar and
food colourings) seem to trigger more 'out of control' behaviour,
but food is not a trigger for many children with ADHD. Being at
a party often triggers 'out of control' behaviour which might
be due to foods, but the behaviour is more likely to be due to
too much excitement.
- Sleep apnoea (blocking of the airway during sleep) is linked
to problem behaviours in many children. Some research has shown
that about 30% of children who have ADD or ADHD have some sleep
apnoea. Signs of sleep apnoea including snoring (often loud snoring)
and stopping breathing for a brief time during sleep. Not all
children who snore have sleep apnoea, but if a child with ADHD
also snores, this might be part of the problem.
There is not yet a full explanation for ADHD, which doesn't mean
that it does not exist - we simply have to wait for some of the
answers.
|
|
