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What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a neurobiological, lifelong condition, caused by under-functioning of the frontal lobes of the brain. It is a widely misunderstood disorder, but IS NOT an excuse for bad parenting! Symptoms vary amongst individuals, but fall into three main categories:

• Predominantly Inattentive (ADD)
• Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive
• Combined type (Inattentive, Hyperactive and Impulsive)

Symptoms need to be evident before the age of five, have lasted for at least six months and be evident in two or more settings, i.e. home and school. Children are immature in their social and emotional development (at least three years behind their chronological age). People with ADHD generally have at least an average or high IQ.

Who does it Affect?

• Millions of people worldwide
• All social classes
• Between 3-7% of the school age population
• Ratio = 3 boys to 1 girl

THREE main types of ADHD

Inattentive Type

• Easily distracted and have difficulty filtering out visual distractions and noises
• Careless mistakes are made even when the person clearly knows
• World of their own, seeming not to be listening and daydreaming and even switch off. Can be misinterpreted as being rude or unappreciative
• Often fail to finish things because they become distracted and bored
• Engaging brain in mental activities is extremely challenging
• Difficulty working in noisy environments as they are unable to filter out unwanted noises
• Poor short term memory means that they often forget messages or instructions

Impulsive Type (Physical/Verbal and Emotional)

Physical Impulsiveness

• Doesn’t recognise dangerous actions
• Constantly on the go, as if driven by a motor
• No on/off switch

Verbal Impulsiveness

• Interrupts conversations
• Says hurtful things to others without thinking of the consequences
• Blurts out information without thinking

Emotional Impulsiveness

• Constantly interrupts conversations
• Marked mood swings and temper outbursts
• Find it difficult to calm down
• Easily upset for no apparent reason
• Don’t learn from their mistakes often repeated over and over

Hyperactive Type

• Fidgets excessively/can’t sit still
• Body and Mind switch from one subject to another
• Runs about and climbs excessively as if driven by a motor
• No volume control
• Often active in their sleep, can’t switch off

Girls with ADHD

Contrary to popular belief girls can have ADHD/ADD. Symptoms differ between boys and girls and girls are often remain undiagnosed.

• Low self-esteem
• Difficulty sustaining friendships, fitting in
• Poor organisational skills
• Poor social skills
• Self-harm
• Extreme shyness or constant talking
• Dishevelled appearance
• Underachieve in school work

Co-existing Conditions (Co-morbidties)

The following conditions frequently co-exist with ADHD/ADD. These are the more challenging aspects that are often unrecognised:

• Dyslexia/Dyspraxia/Dyscalculia
• Autistic Spectrum Disorders
• Tics/Tourettes
• Oppositional Defiance Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Anxiety/mood swings
• Depression/Bi-polar

Hidden Traits/Executive Dysfunction

• Poor self-control
• Over-responsiveness
• Easily frustrated
• Poor use of Self Talk
• Trouble shifting gear
• Poor recall of the past
• Poor future planning

Family Dysfunction

• Similar disabilities in parents
• Family stress exacerbates the problem

The Positives

While the rest of us are obsessing about the future, or worrying about the past, people with ADHD are experiencing the present. ADHD’ers can be a lot of fun and dullness is never a problem. Their "Why Not" attitude may free them to take chances that the rest of us may be afraid to take. Their flux of ideas may lead to creative innovations and most importantly, their extreme passion can be a source of inspiration and accomplishment to the benefit of us all.

ADHD Medications

There are a range of different medications available, including stimulant, non-stimulant and alternative therapies, as follows:

Stimulant Medications

Methylphenidate; Ritalin; Concerta; Equasym; Medikinet; Dextroamphetamine; Dexmethylphenidate.

Non Stimulant Medications

Clonidine; Atomoxetine; Antidepressants.

Alternatives Therapies

Risperidone (antipsychotic); Melatonin; Diet; Megavitamin; Homeopathy; Omega 3, 6 and 9 oils; Bio-feedback.

How can you help?

• Be consistent
• Define the Rules
• Prepare for change, give warnings, don’t just change an activity without prior warning
• Stick to the plan
• Be specific – Say what you want them to do, not what you don’t
• Limit choices to two
• Give one instruction at a time
• Take time to explain, over and over if necessary (stay calm)
• Use visual reminders
• Talk about the behaviour, not the person
• Avoid sarcasm and metaphors
• Give constructive feedback
• Make sure you have their full attention before you speak
• Avoid power struggles
• Build on their strengths
• Praise, Praise, Praise!