Professional Documents
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DHD is one of the most common disorders of constantly losing things, are late for school, and can forget
childhood and adolescence {Guevara 2001). It is a simple instructions if more than one thing is requested. This
complex problem, as there are various types and the behaviour impacts on family, school and social life. In the
condition may include language and learning problems. In a home environment families can experience more negativity
few children it co-exists with one of two serious psychiatric in their social life (Kendall et al 2003).
disorders, either oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or As previously stated, I am a mother of four children, three
conduct disorder (CD) (Dalsgaard ef a/2002). This can cause of whom (the boys) are diagnosed with ADHD. Although I
immense disruption in an already disturbed life created by the am not an expert on ADHD I can explain how it affects the
ADHD. ODD has been described as being the developmental family structure; for life with children diagnosed with ADHD
precursor of CD (Angold and Costello 2001). IS anybody's worst nightmare. Home life has to be very
In everyday life, people often describe children who become organised to the point that it's more like a military regime
excitable, boisterous or disobedient as hyperactive, and wee rather than a relaxed, homely atmosphere.
versa. However, in a professional context the term refers My eldest son was diagnosed with ADHD ten years ago, at
to a more severe and long-lasting problem. While ADHD the age of five, when it was quite unheard of in this area. The
is a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and/or GP was reluctant to prescribe Ritalin as he was not up to date
impulsivity. Ball (2001) claims that it is more pronounced and on the medication, even though he had been informed by
extreme than is typically observed in individuals at a similar the child psychiatrist that this was the appropriate treatment.
stage of development. Therefore, we had to visit the child psychiatrist in Newcastle