Foundation Focus - January 2009 Edition - Kent and Medway NHS ...

Kent and Medway
NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust
Focus on… ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is defined by two broad groups of behavioural
problems: inattentiveness, and a combination of hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Common
symptoms within these groups include a short attention span, restlessness, being easily distracted, and
constant fidgeting.
ADHD is the most common
behavioural disorder in the UK.
It is estimated that the
condition affects between
3–9% of school-aged children
and young people, with boys
more likely to be affected than
girls. ADHD can be a life-long
condition, and many children
who have it continue to have
symptoms in adolescence and
adulthood. However, it is still
uncertain as to whether ADHD
can occur in adults without
first appearing in childhood.
Children naturally have a
tendency towards the kind of
behaviour that ADHD causes,
but this behaviour should not
be confused with ADHD. There
are several criteria that must be
met for a child to be diagnosed
with ADHD. Adults are harder
to diagnose because there is
no definitive set of ageappropriate
symptoms.
Symptoms of ADHD tend to
start at an early age, and they
may become more noticeable
when a child's circumstances
change, such as starting
school. Many people with
ADHD also have additional
problems, such as sleep
disorders, low self-esteem, and
learning difficulties. ADHD has
no effect on intelligence, but
more than half of children with
ADHD have specific learning
disabilities, such as dyslexia.
Coping with the symptoms can
mean underachievement and
poor self-esteem.
Children with ADHD are also
more likely to be depressed,
anxious and obsessive, and
may have some problems with
speech, language and
coordination. Other major
disorders may accompany
ADHD, including oppositional
defiant disorder (arguing and
intentional defying) and
conduct disorder (major
antisocial activity).
Hyperactivity may improve at
puberty but the problems
usually persist in some form
throughout adult life – up to
60 per cent of children show
ADHD behaviour in adulthood.
What causes ADHD?
The cause of ADHD has not yet
been fully explained but it may
be due, in part, by an inherited
imbalance of neurotransmitters
(chemicals that transmit nerves
signals in the brain). One of
the main problems in ADHD
seems to be that the brain fails
to filter the huge amount of
stimulation we receive every
minute of every day.
An affected child is easily
distracted and can't process
information at a normal rate.
The frontal lobes don't work as
well as they should with
processes such as decision
making, and there may be
imbalances in the brain
chemicals noradrenaline and
dopamine.
However, this is a
generalisation – brain research
shows a variety of different
problems in ADHD, with
individuals showing their own
pattern of behaviour.
Genetic or hereditary factors
are important – usually a
parent or close relative also has
the condition. Twin and
genetic studies show several
genes are likely to be involved.
Evidence of brain dysfunction
has been found in brainimaging
studies. However,
research has so far been
unable to show consistent
neurobiological differences
between affected children and
normal controls, so the
syndrome remains
controversial.
Diet may be a factor –
parents have long claimed that
food additives can aggravate
hyperactive behaviour and
research by the Food Standards
Agency and Southampton
University has shown that
certain mixtures of artificial
food colours, alongside sodium
benzoate – a preservative used
in ice cream and confectionary
– are linked to increases in
hyperactivity.
What's the
treatment?
Since it isn't clear why children
develop ADHD, it's difficult to
prevent. There's also no simple
screening test to identify those
people carrying genes that
might increase susceptibility
and antenatal screening isn't
available.
Although there's no cure,
early diagnosis and appropriate
help at home can make a big
difference. Diagnosis should be
made by formal testing by
someone with experience of
the condition, such as an
educational psychologist. With
the correct help, many people
with ADHD manage to channel
their energies with dramatic
success.
For advice and support on
ADHD, please contact:
National Attention
Disorder Information and
Support Service
Tel: 020 8952 2800
Email: info@addiss.co.uk
Website: www.addiss.co.uk
Hyperactive Children's
Support Group
Tel: 01243 539966
Email: hacsg@hacsg.org.uk
Website: www.hacsg.org.uk
Foundation Focus January 2009
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