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2008 ADHD Series
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that makes it difficult for a person to pay attention and focus on tasks. (ADD was the former name.) If ADHD patients don’t receive treatment, they will struggle at home, at school, at work and with relationships. With treatment, those with ADHD can lead extremely productive and successful lives. To get the word out about this important topic that affects millions of American families, Inland Empire Family Magazine has adopted ADHD as our Editorial Series for 2008. In subsequent issues, we will run a column in our Health section. The most important message is that ADHD is a winnable affliction, shared by many who overcome the limitations it puts on everyday lives, who go on to live meaningful, productive lives. For example, Ty Pennington of “Extreme Makeover” fame, and political pundit James Carville, are ADHD-affected and have triumphed through their condition, and flourished. However, as ADHD was not a recognized disorder when these men were growing up, they had to make due as best they could without professional help. According to Susan Caughman, editor of ADDitude Magazine, a print and online resource for parents of kids with ADHD, “They had a very rough childhood. They survived by the skin of their teeth.” A new medical era Today, kids with ADHD have many resources available to them. The key is getting the right diagnosis and treatment. There’s some controversy as to whether or not kids can be accurately diagnosed as early as preschool, and whether a few overanxious parents are demanding a prescription to handle their bundle of energy, regardless of the diagnosis. Generally, children are diagnosed between ages 6 and 12. It’s often a child’s teacher that first notices the symptoms, and an individual assessment at the school – by a teacher, school-site psychologist or principal – may be an excellent first step. The 3 main symptoms of ADHD are: [1.] Trouble paying attention. Easily distracted, difficulty focusing on any 1 task [2.] Trouble sitting still for even short periods of time. Hyperactivity, squirming, restlessness, running around in class [3.] Acting before thinking. Talking or laughing too loudly, becoming angrier than necessary, “leaping before they look.” They may not be able to wait their turn to share. ADHD can make getting along with other children difficult. It mostly affects boys Currently, there are 4 times as many boys with ADHD as girls. It is estimated that 2.4 million children in the U.S. have ADHD – about 8.7% of all school-aged children. And fewer than half of them have been diagnosed. Many times, this is a result of parental opposition to the idea that their child has the disorder. Cathy Robinson (she requested that we not use her real name), whose 10-year-old son, Thomas, has ADHD, resisted getting a diagnosis for 3 years. After having his preschool and kindergarten teachers recommend testing, by the time his first-grade teacher did, as well, Robinson was irritated. “I thought that she just wanted the boys to behave like the girls,” she says. “But, I did start to get a bit worried. This was the third teacher that had brought this up.” By second grade, Thomas’s teacher was calling Robinson at home to discuss his behavior. “He had always tapped and drummed on things, but I just thought he was an active boy,” says Robinson. “But this teacher explained what she went through each day to get him to complete a task. She had to explain assignments to him 4 times, and even then, if she moved away from him, he got distracted.” Robinson agreed to the testing with a trained clinician. Thomas saw a child psychiatrist. (Other means of diagnosis are done by psychologists or pediatricians.) Children undergo a series of tests to rule out learning disabilities, anxiety and depression (a key is their natural ability to be happy). Parents fill out questionnaires, and the child undergoes physical and mental testing. Once Thomas’s testing was completed, it was determined he had ADHD. To medicate or not? Unfortunately, a positive diagnosis is not the end of the journey. Ritalin is the most widely-known ADHD drug, but it doesn’t work for everyone. The Robinsons have gone through 3 years of testing various medications to find the one that’s right for Thomas. “It will seem like things are going well, then they change,” she says. “His demeanor, attitude and emotions are all affected.” These side effects are often exacerbated by the main problems associated with ADHD drugs – they may diminish the child’s appetite and ability to get a good night’s sleep. Without proper rest and nutrition, the child suffers. Other side effects include headaches, stomachaches, tics or twitches. Many of these issues do get better after a few weeks, so parents must watch their children closely. The right medication, however, can make a world of difference. For Thomas, the noise-making, pounding and drumming all went away. “Medicine lets the true child come through,” says Robinson. An expert’s own story Caughman, whose daughter has ADHD, agrees. “Medication helps kids pay attention so they can learn to change their behavior.” Her daughter’s diagnosis at age 15 “was like a lightbulb going off,” she says. “It helped explain so many of the struggles she was having.” Many parents experience this same emotion, and feel tremendous relief at an ADHD diagnosis. They suspected that their child was struggling in some way, but didn’t know how to help. “Moms have huge shame and guilt about not being able to manage their kids,” says Caughman. “But you wouldn’t feel that way if your child had diabetes. Because ADHD is brain-based, there is a huge stigma associated with it in our society.” She says to consider how ecstatic you would feel if your child was diagnosed with cancer early enough that you could catch and cure it. She encourages parents of children diagnosed with ADHD to feel the same way. (This is an important suggestion, as parents often feel defeated when the diagnosis comes in.) “ADHD kids are very creative and talented,” she says. “ADHD is like having the Maserati of brains with Chevy brakes. You just have to learn to deal with it to succeed.” What causes ADHD? There are no known causes of ADHD. Sugar and food additives are not linked to the disorder. Some research has found links between brain structure and the chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain that regulate attention, activity and ADHD. Other research shows that when pregnant, a woman’s smoking, drinking and drug abuse may increase ADHD risk. Also, exposure to lead may cause ADHD symptoms. ADHD does tend to run in families. More than 50% of children diagnosed with ADHD have at least 1 parent with it, also. Many times, these parents learn they have ADHD for the first time while filling out the questionnaires to help diagnose their child. ADHD always begins in childhood, so adults with the disorder continue to experience symptoms over a lifetime. While some of these effects are positive, such as creativity, curiosity and a love of learning, many are negative. Adults with ADHD have higher divorce rates, and more likely to smoke and abuse drugs. Fewer adults with ADHD enter college, and even fewer graduate. “Most adults with ADHD...feel if they’d dealt with it young, they could have had a better life,” says Caughman. Still, it’s not too late to start treatments as an adult, and a parent with ADHD can be a great role model to their child with the disorder. The goal of diagnosis and treatment is to help ADHD sufferers learn to manage symptoms so they can lead balanced lives. If you suspect you or your child may have it, consult a medical or mental-health professional. Elisabeth Handley is a regular contributor. |
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