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ISSN 0973 - 0958
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Child
Developmental Problems in children
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ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY
DISORDER (ADHD)
DISORDER (ADHD)
Continued...
Q. Is ADHD a hereditary condition?
A. The incidence of ADHD is seen more frequently in first-degree relatives, in off springs of parents having depression, anxiety & personality disorders. Incidence is also higher in children of parents with alcohol & drug abuse. However, one should also remember that the
Q. Is ADHD a hereditary condition?
A. The incidence of ADHD is seen more frequently in first-degree relatives, in off springs of parents having depression, anxiety & personality disorders. Incidence is also higher in children of parents with alcohol & drug abuse. However, one should also remember that the
severity and symptoms of ADHD also depend on the upbringing of the child.
Q. How is ADHD diagnosed?
A. ADHD is a clinical diagnosis. It is diagnosed by overactivity in a child causing impairment of regular activities (The child disturbs both self & others). It is usually diagnosed when a child starts talking and walking.
However, before diagnosing ADHD, always rule out psychosis, depression, anxiety, epilepsy and dyslexia in a child. Again, IQ testing may not be a prerequisite to diagnose ADHD. It may be useful in an older child with inattention and overactivity to determine the mental age and whether the child's behavior correlates with that age group. (If the child's mental age and behavior correlate, the child may not be having ADHD and may be suffering from some other disorder).
Q. What is the treatment of ADHD?
A. ADHD is due to an abnormality in the reticular activating system of the brain. Drugs that increase the reticular activating system (RAS) stimulation are used successfully in the treatment of ADHD. The two drugs commonly used are methylphenidate and amphetamine. Methylphenidate is used in the dose of 5-10mg in the morning everyday. (The drug is given even on weekends & during vacations). These drugs have to be taken under a doctor's guidance, as they are habit forming and cause loss of appetite. This treatment is required for many years. However, the disorder attenuates as the child grows older and hence life long medication is not required.
Q. My child has ADHD. Does it affect the intelligence?
A. Usually ADHD is seen in children with normal intelligence. IQ testing may show pseudo-retardation (i.e. the child may have normal IQ, but due to overactivity, testing may show a false (low IQ).
Q. How is ADHD diagnosed?
A. ADHD is a clinical diagnosis. It is diagnosed by overactivity in a child causing impairment of regular activities (The child disturbs both self & others). It is usually diagnosed when a child starts talking and walking.
However, before diagnosing ADHD, always rule out psychosis, depression, anxiety, epilepsy and dyslexia in a child. Again, IQ testing may not be a prerequisite to diagnose ADHD. It may be useful in an older child with inattention and overactivity to determine the mental age and whether the child's behavior correlates with that age group. (If the child's mental age and behavior correlate, the child may not be having ADHD and may be suffering from some other disorder).
Q. What is the treatment of ADHD?
A. ADHD is due to an abnormality in the reticular activating system of the brain. Drugs that increase the reticular activating system (RAS) stimulation are used successfully in the treatment of ADHD. The two drugs commonly used are methylphenidate and amphetamine. Methylphenidate is used in the dose of 5-10mg in the morning everyday. (The drug is given even on weekends & during vacations). These drugs have to be taken under a doctor's guidance, as they are habit forming and cause loss of appetite. This treatment is required for many years. However, the disorder attenuates as the child grows older and hence life long medication is not required.
Q. My child has ADHD. Does it affect the intelligence?
A. Usually ADHD is seen in children with normal intelligence. IQ testing may show pseudo-retardation (i.e. the child may have normal IQ, but due to overactivity, testing may show a false (low IQ).
Schizophrenia in Children
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a medical illness that causes strange thinking or strange feelings and unusual behavior. It is an uncommon psychiatric illness and it is hard to recognize in early phase.
Schizophrenia is a medical illness that causes strange thinking or strange feelings and unusual behavior. It is an uncommon psychiatric illness and it is hard to recognize in early phase.
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