Professional Documents
Culture Documents
http://www.iium.edu.my/medicine/mahir/resources/adhd
1. Methyphenidate (Ritalin) is usually started at about 0.25 mg/kg and the dose is gradually increased
to an effective level (1mg/kg). The side effects are rarely serious. Insomnia is common in early
treatment or if the dose is given late in the day. Stomach discomfort may due to sympthomimetic
effect. Minimal weight loss; recent studies have shown the growth inhibition which previously been
reported is only a delay. During school break they can have medication holiday as well to minimize
this side effect.
10. What are the long term prognoses? (common question by parents)
About 30-50% has an associated learning disability. Although 1/3 may have problems like auto accidents,
divorces and job changing during childhood, 2/3 will become normal adults. 50% of children with ADHD
lose their hyperactivity in adolescence but inattention often persists into adulthood. However with
proper treatment and early intervention, better outcomes of this disorder are realistic.
11. Does the medication cause brain damage or addiction to my child? (common question by parents)
The answer is defenitly not.
12. What will happen if I refuse to give medication to my kid? (common question by parents)
The kid will not be able to concentrate in his classes and eventually in a long run he/she will have
learning delay.
Regards
Dr Ramli Musa
http://www.kidzgrow.com.my/forum/viewthread.php?tid=168
What is ADHD?
Symptomsof inattention, or hyperactivity and impulsivity must be severe enoughto cause impairment
in the daily functioning of the person in at leasttwo settings: at home, in school, in the community or
in the workplace.
ADHDis a serious public health problem. Sufferers have higher rates ofother psychiatric and
behavior disorders and are at greater risk forproblems in academic performance, career attainment
and accidentalinjury.
TheU.S. Surgeon General, the American Medical Association (AMA), theAmerican Psychiatric
Association, the American Academy of Child andAdolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), the American
Psychological Associationand the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), among others,
allrecognize ADHD as a valid disorder.
Priorto the age of 5, ADHD symptoms may be difficult to accurately diagnose,because many
preschoolers are highly active and prone to being easilydistracted and overly impulsive. As the
young child gets older,problems with hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity tend to standout, gaps
in school performance become clearer, and problems withbehavior or learning become more of
concern to parents and teacherscausing referrals to health providers and educators to determine if
aproblem with ADHD exitis.
Prevalence of ADHD
Inthe United States, ADHD affects about seven percent of the population.However, ADHD exists
throughout the world. Children with ADHD have beenidentified in every country in which this
condition has been studied.ADHD is three to five times more common in boys than girls.
Healthcare professionals have been diagnosing and treating children andadolescents with ADHD for
dozens of years. In fact, almost half thereferrals to mental health practitioners in schools, clinics or
privatepractices are to treat children and adolescents who have problemsrelated to inattention,
hyperactivity, or impulsivity. Earlyidentification and proper treatment can improve the quality of life
forthose with ADHD leading to improved school and work performance, socialadjustment and
success in accomplishing ones goals.
Types of ADHD
TheDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV-TR),published by the American
Psychiatric Association in 2000, provideshealth[size=-1]careprofessionals with the criteria that need
to be met to diagnose aperson with ADHD. To receive a diagnosis of ADHD, a person must exhibita
certain number of behavioral characteristics reflecting eitherinattention or hyperactivity and
impulsivity for at least six months toa degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent
with developmentallevel. These behavioral characteristics must have begun in childhood,must be
evident in two or more settings (home, school, work, community)and must not be due to any other
mental disorder such as a mooddisorder, anxiety, learning disability, etc.
There are three types of ADHD. Some children with ADHD show symptoms of inattention and are
not hyperactive or impulsive. Others only show symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity. Most,
however, show symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
DSM-IV-TR (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Barkley, R.A. (2005). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and
treatment. (3rd ed.) New York: Guilford Press
Barkley, R. A. (2005). ADHD and the nature of self-control. New York: Guilford Press.
Brown, T. E. (2005). Attention deficit disorder: The unfocused mind in children and adults. New
Haven,CT: Yale University Press.
International Consensus Statement on AD/HD. January 2002. Clinical Child and Family Psychology
Review, 5 (2), 89-111.
Jensen,P.S., & Cooper, J.R. (2002). Attention Deficit HyperactivityDisorder: State of science best
prac-tice. New Jersey: Civic ResearchInstitute.
Recommended Reading
Barkley, R. A. (2000). Taking charge of ADHD. The complete authoritative guide for parents.New
York: Guilford Press.
]Brown, T.E. (2000). Attention-deficit disorders and comorbidities in children, adolescents, and
adults. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Press, Inc.
Brown, T. E. (2005). Attention deficit disorder: Theunfocused mind in children and adults. New
Haven,CT: Yale University Press.
Cooper-Kahn, J., & Dietzel, L. (2008). Late, Lost, and Unprepared: A parents guide to helping
children with executive functioning. Maryland: Woodbine House.
Hallowell, E., & Ratey, J. (1994). Driven to distraction. New York: Pantheon Books
Nadeau, K. G., & Quinn, P. (2002) Understanding women with AD/HD. Silver Spring, MD:
Advantage Books.
Parker, H.C. (2005). The ADHD workbook for parents. Plantation, FL: Specialty Press, Inc.
Solden, S. (2002). Journeys through ADDulthood. New York: Walker & Company.
Internet Resources
http://malaysiapsychology.wordpress.com/