We can say that in recent years, awareness of attention deficit, hyperactivity and/or impulsivity in children and adolescents has increased in all segments of society. We see that families, teachers, physicians and sometimes children begin to seek help when they realize their attention and behavioral problems. For these reasons, we aimed to share general information about ADHD and answers to frequently asked questions with you.
Question 1. What are the diagnostic criteria for ADHD?
ADHD We can divide the symptoms into inattention and Hyperactivity/Impulsivity (impulsivity) symptoms.
INATTENTIONADHD SYMPTOMS
Cannot pay attention to details from time to time or Makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
He gets distracted in the tasks he undertakes or the activities he plays.
He does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
>Does not follow directions and fails to complete schoolwork, errands, or tasks at work.
Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.
Avoids, dislikes, or tasks that require sustained mental effort. is reluctant to take part in them (such as schoolwork).
He loses things that are necessary for the tasks or activities he undertakes (e.g. Toys, school homework, pencils, books, equipment)
He is easily distracted by external stimuli.
He is often forgetful in his daily activities
HYPERACTIVITY/ IMPULSIVITY
Fidgets with hands and feet or fidgets in seat.
Runs around or climbs in class or other situations where sitting is expected (in adolescents and adults, only feelings of restlessness may be)
There is difficulty in participating in leisure activities or playing games in a calm manner.
He is in motion or acts as if he is being driven by a motorbike.
very speaks.
He pastes his answer before the question asked is completed.
He has difficulty waiting his turn.
He interrupts others or interferes with what they are doing.
It is generally seen at a rate of 5-10% in the society. It is also possible to say that there may be 1-2 children and adolescents with ADHD in classes of 25-30 people.
Question 3. What are the causes of ADHD?
Prenatal
– Genetics (70%)
– Cigarettes, alcohol, drugs used during pregnancy.
– Pregnancy infections
– Genetic diseases (fragile insufficiency,
– Low birth weight,
– Prolonged postpartum jaundice,
– Premature birth,
– Twin and triplet pregnancies , …
Postpartum causes
– meningitis, encephalitis,
– Head traumas,
– Brain tumors,
– Seizure,
– Iron deficiency
– Chemical poisons (such as lead)…
Question 4. My child is not very active, but There is a diagnosis of ADHD. Is this possible?
Yes. Not every child and adolescent diagnosed with ADHD has to be active enough to climb a smooth wall or constantly jump on seats. ir. Mental hyperactivity may also be observed in some children. In addition, it should not be forgotten that although the general diagnosis is ADHD, there are 3 subgroups.
Subtypes of ADHD:
ADHD/type in which attention deficit is prominent
ADHD/hyperactivity. -type where impulsivity is prominent
ADHD/combined type: There are both attention deficit and hyperactivity-impulsivity findings.
Question 5. ADHD findings Can there be differences between boys and girls?
Yes. ADHD is generally 2-5 times more common in men. However, when we look at the subgroups of ADHD, we can say that the attention deficit subgroup is more common in girls. For this reason, diagnosis and treatment of girls may be delayed, and when treatment begins at a later age, the response to treatment is not the same as at early ages.
Question 6. Is a child with ADHD smarter?
ADHD; It is a disorder that can be seen at all intelligence levels. However, since creativity, self-expression and social entrepreneurship are more prominent in a group of children with ADHD, it can be thought that this disorder is more common in intelligent children. The perception that 'smart child = active child' is also very common in our society. If the intelligence level of the child with ADHD is normal or above normal, it is possible to achieve positive social behaviors, academic achievements, etc. more quickly with timely treatment.
Question 7. What is the course of the symptoms of ADHD?
In general in ADHD; Mobility and impulsivity decrease starting from the preschool period. Impulsivity increases again during adolescence and then continues to decrease. The longest-lasting finding in this course is attention deficit.
Question 8. What is the school life of children with ADHD like?
The academic success and social adaptation of children with ADHD in school depend on many factors. These are;
– Genetic risk factors: In children Genetic load is important. Having a mental disorder such as substance/alcohol addiction, conduct disorder/antisocial personality disorder in relatives, as well as ADHD, is an important risk factor for a negative outcome.
– Severity of ADHD,
– As comorbidity. Presence of other mental disorders: In addition to ADHD, the presence of additional mental disorders such as conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, tic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder are important risk factors for a negative course and inadequate response to treatment.
– The child's intelligence level,
– The family's level of knowledge about ADHD, the ability to look at the child holistically and the ability to cope with the child with ADHD,
– The teacher's knowledge about ADHD and the ability to cope with the child with ADHD,
– Existence of an education system that includes children with ADHD,
– Age of starting treatment,
– Family-school-specialist collaboration during the treatment process,…
– In the presence of special interests and skills in children with ADHD, they should be supported in this regard,…
– The most important factors here are early diagnosis and correct attitudes.
Question 9. What are the co-occurring disorders in ADHD?
It is known that at least one mental disorder is seen together in 30-70% of ADHD. The most common co-occurring mental disorders are:
– Oppositional defiant disorder,
– Conduct disorder,
– Tic disorders,
– Obsessive compulsive disorder (obsession-compulsive disorder),
– Depression,
– Specific learning difficulties (written expression disorder, reading disorder, mathematics disorder),
– Anxiety disorders,
– Fears,
– Substance-alcohol addiction,
– Bed-wetting (enuresis nocturna)…
Question 10. What should be the treatment approaches in ADHD?
The cooperation of the doctor, family, classroom and guidance teachers is important in the treatment of the child with ADHD.
-Teacher. /Parent/father education,
-Special education and social support program to be organized for the child,
-Medication treatment
Question 11. Why should medication be used in ADHD?
ADHD is a neuropsychosocial disorder. When a disorder is mentioned and the presence of biological factors is detected, applying a drug-free treatment protocol will not be sufficient. The presence of other supports that can be administered in addition to medication will increase the effectiveness of the medication and make the response to treatment more visible.
Question 12. What is the effectiveness of medication in ADHD?
ADHD; It is a disorder that has been known for nearly a century. Research conducted so far, especially in recent years, has shown us that these children are deficient in two substances (dopamine and noradrenaline) required for attention and concentration in the brain region called prefrontal. Medicines also support us in this period, that is, they contribute to increasing attention and controlling hyperactivity and impulsivity by replacing the missing substances. In addition, drugs support the completion of the development process by increasing the blood flow to the developing and growing brain. This is why the response to treatment is higher in children whose treatment is started at an early age.
Question 13. Are the drugs used in ADHD addictive?
Absolutely NO. Sometimes your family circle, and rarely your teachers and healthcare professionals, may give you insufficient or incorrect information on this subject. The process of starting medication for a child or adolescent can sometimes be difficult for families. However, it should not be forgotten that mental disorders, like every disorder, may have biological causes. Some of the medications prescribed for ADHD are red prescriptions. This is not because they are addictive, but to prevent abuse. In your opinion, which child and adolescent psychiatrist can prescribe addictive drugs to children and adolescents?
Question 14. Do the drugs used in ADHD have side effects?
This It would be more accurate to answer the question by considering all drugs in general. Every medicine can have side effects. Even the content is the same
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