Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

What is it about ?

ADHD is a common psychiatric condition characterized by excessive mobility (hyperactivity), impaired concentration, impulsive behavior and lack of attention.

ADHD is a developmental disorder of the nervous system that begins in childhood and often continues into adulthood. However, the expression of symptoms may change during the transition from childhood to adulthood.

• In adults with ADHD, symptoms of inattention Rather, they result in poor time management, memory problems, and a tendency to get distracted quickly while performing administrative tasks.
• Still in adults, symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity manifested by a subjective feeling of restlessness, the choice of a very active profession, the more frequent change of jobs and relationships, a propensity to disturb others during their occupations, a low threshold of tolerance (tendency to be quickly irritated or angry) or the habit of cutting or ending other people’s sentences.

There is a form of ADHD marked only by concentration disorders, without hyperactivity. This form is known as ADD (attention deficit disorder) and is less easy to recognize than ADHD.

Causes of ADHD

The basis of ADHD is a developmental disorder following which the child reacts differently to stimuli, both sensory (seeing, hearing, feeling, etc.) and emotional. For example, a child with ADHD will overreact to stressful situations, such as family quarrel, school demands, loss, …

ADHD is clearly influenced by a hereditary predisposition, but certain environmental factors during the early stages of development may also play a role. A parent of a child with ADHD can suffer from the disorder themselves. As a result, this parent can on the one hand better understand the child’s problems, but on the other hand find it more difficult to stick strictly to his educational principles.

ADHD is the subject of much attention. Sometimes the diagnosis of ADHD is desired to explain difficult behavior. However, the behavior problems may also have another cause, independent of or in addition to ADHD. This is why it is important to assess the emotional development of the child thoroughly in order to gain a complete picture and to determine the appropriate treatment and approach.

What is its frequency?

It is estimated that 5 to 7 in every 100 school children suffer from ADHD, which corresponds to an average of one child per class.

ADHD affects about 3 to 4 in 100 adults. In 60 to 80% of cases, ADHD symptoms last from childhood to adulthood. But the visible symptoms often subside with age.

The behavior problems due to ADHD are more common in boys than in girls. Since problematic behavior is less marked in girls, girls sometimes go undiagnosed.

How to recognize it?

• Is your child very active?
• Does your child have trouble sitting still?
• Does he behave impulsively and without restraint?
• Does your child scatter often?
• Does he have difficulty maintaining his attention while playing or in class?
• Does he overreact to stress or changes?

All of these symptoms can be reminiscent of ADHD. A series of additional examinations is always necessary to make a correct diagnosis.

• In 50 to 80% of cases, children with ADHD also have other psychiatric problems, such as depression, anxiety excessive or oppositional behavior.
• In 20 to 25% of cases, ADHD is associated with learning or developmental disabilities, for example in relation to language proficiency, motor function, perception or communication.
• Some children with ADHD have low self-esteem Where lack social skills.
• ADHD can be part of a other serious illness, as among others certain forms ofautism, of obsessive-compulsive disorder or from tic disorder.

In adults, it is common to miss ADHD which, therefore, remains untreated. Untreated ADHD is associated with a greatly increased risk of developing later addiction and a more rapid transition from a recreational form to a more severe form of drug use. Addiction is often more complex and chronic than in patients without ADHD, and more difficult to treat.

How is the diagnosis made?

After asking a few screening questions, your doctor will decide if further tests are needed. Indeed, screening questionnaires are not sufficient to make a diagnosis.

Your doctor will refer you to a team in which different healthcare professionals, often including a child psychiatrist, work together (multidisciplinary team). These professionals will offer a series of complementary exams. The child’s school and / or nursery are systematically involved in the assessment.

What can you do ?

Observe your child and note when and how often the problematic behavior occurs. Get help quickly if you think your child has ADHD. The earlier the diagnosis is established, the earlier the support can start.

What can your doctor do?

Both ADHD diagnosis and drug treatment are handled by a specialist or a specialist team.

Treatment and support

The moment when treatment or support is determined or started depends on various factors:

• the possible presence of emotional problems or additional developmental difficulties;
• the possible existence of other family problems;
• the possibilities of parents;
• the availability of local infrastructure.

The most effective approach always relies onhelp for the child and the family. The objective is twofold: to control the symptoms and reduce the disorders. It is also important to support the emotional development of the child, the goal is for the child to become more aware of his feelings in different social situations and to be able to express these feelings. As for parents, they must learn to provide the appropriate assistance to their child.

It is better not to start a medical treatment based only on symptoms, but to carry out a thorough assessment of the child first.

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Close collaboration between the school (PMS center) and the family is essential. Most often, it is advisable to take special provisions, as :

• attention to the needs of the child;
• a clearly structured approach;
• the presence of an assistant in class;
• teaching in small groups;
• …

the choice of educational and vocational guidance requires expert help. The transition from childhood to adulthood also requires special attention.

If one of the parents has ADHD himself, that parent should ideally also receive appropriate treatment or support. It is important for the development of the child.

Want to know more?

• ADD / HD treatment path – SPF Public health, food chain safety and the environment
• ADD / H (videos) – Yapaka
• ADHD Belgium – An association of patients and relatives

Source

www.ebpnet.be