ADHD Overview

ADHD Video

HOST ON CAMERA:
Hello, and welcome to the Answered Patient.  I’m Jane Hanson. In this episode, we’ll discuss Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly known as ADHD. We’ll tell you about the symptoms … how it’s diagnosed… and what treatment options are currently available. We’ll also provide you with some guidelines to help you get the information you’ll need if you or your child has been diagnosed with ADHD.

HOST NARRATION:
ADHD is a common behavioral disorder that develops in early childhood, and is often first spotted in a classroom setting.

DR. MINA DULCAN:
Between 5 and 10 percent of school age children have ADHD, so if you think about it, in a classroom of 30 kids you’re going to have a couple in every classroom who need to be treated.

HOST NARRATION: While ADHD occurs in both boys and girls , boys are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop it .

HOST ON CAMERA:
In recent years, reported cases of ADHD have been steadily rising. In the United States, it’s estimated that 2 million children have ADHD. That high number has led some to suggest that the disorder is over-diagnosed  -- a notion that ADHD experts dismiss.

DR. MINA DULCAN: 
There’s been serious research done on this question, // what we’re still seeing is under diagnoses and under treatment, and people say, “Oh, there’s so much Ritalin”, well, that’s because it’s a very common disorder.

HOST NARRATION: While the exact causes of ADHD are still largely unknown, experts believe that heredity plays a key role.

DR. MINA DULCAN:
It’s strongly genetic, but can also be influenced by insults to the brain: difficult birth, low birth weight, lead poisoning, that kind of thing.

HOST NARRATION:
Some research suggests that children whose mothers smoke and drink alcohol during pregnancy have a higher risk of developing ADHD. Environmental factors, such as a chaotic or disorganized home or school life, can also contribute to a child’s symptoms. Though ADHD occurs most commonly among children, the symptoms can continue into adulthood.

DR. MARK STEIN:
If you start with 100 seven year olds with ADHD, about 60 % are going to have it as teenagers, and about 50% are going to have it as adults. So in general, the symptoms tend to decline with age, but for many they persist. 

HOST ON CAMERA:
Medical experts define ADHD by three key symptoms: inattention…impulsivity…and hyperactivity. Children with Inattentive symptoms may daydream, or be unable to recall and follow simple instructions. Since this type of behavior is not disruptive, children who exhibit it are less likely to be identified as having ADHD. Children with Impulsive symptoms may blurt out inappropriate comments, or be unable to contain their emotions. And children with Hyperactive symptoms may be unable to sit still for more than a few minutes at a time. They may also fidget, or become disruptive in a classroom setting.

HOST NARRATION:
At one time or another, these types of behaviors are probably familiar to anyone with a small child. ADHD, however, is a specific diagnosis that is given only when several of these behaviors are observed …when they begin before the age of seven …and when they last for a period of at least six months. 

DR. MARK STEIN:
A good way to think of it is the terrible twos continued.  Because people with ADHD display the symptoms that you see in a very young child, in terms over-activity and distractibility.

HOST NARRATION:
These behaviors have a significant, negative impact on an ADHD child’s home and school life. And because some symptoms can intensify in a classroom setting, teachers are often the first to recognize children with ADHD.

CONNIE PARR:
They are poor in social settings. They’re poor in class. They’re poor in grades. Many times teachers will see the children with ADHD as being bad behavior problems because they can’t control their impulses.

HOST ON CAMERA:
Something else to keep in mind is that children diagnosed with ADHD often have an associated learning disability, such as trouble with reading, basic math, or spelling. Children with ADHD may also experience symptoms of depression or anxiety. 

HOST NARRATION:
When making a diagnosis, medical professionals will conduct a full behavioral assessment of a child’s school and home life. An MRI or another type of brain scan may also be given to rule out any other condition that could be causing the symptoms. While ADHD can be a difficult condition to live with, there are a number of treatments experts have developed over the years to help parents and their children cope. Counseling is usually the first step. This includes training patients to develop problem-solving techniques… and teaching them skills they can use to help focus their attention and energy. There are also a number of drugs on the market that have been used for decades to help control the symptoms of ADHD. While not all children require medication, many do benefit from a carefully tailored drug regimen. High Tech Answered Patient transition            

HOST ON CAMERA:
Despite its common rate of occurrence among children in the U.S., ADHD remains a relatively misunderstood illness in the eyes of the public. But it is important to know that help is available. In the other chapters of this episode, you can learn more about how ADHD is diagnosed…get some science on how it works in your body…and discover some of the treatment options currently available, including drugs and counseling.

HOST NARRATION:
And in our “Personal Stories” chapter, you’ll meet real patients and families who are living with ADHD every day.