Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Attention Deficit HyperactivityDisorder
(ADHD)
- Characteristics
- Not an emotional or
mood disorder.
- Behavior disorder
affecting as many as
5% of all children.
- Developmentally inappropriate
behaviors involving difficulty
paying attention or focusing on
tasks.
- Diagnosed when
hyperactivity
interferes w/normal
play, social, or
learning.
- Child may be fidgety,
impulsive, interrupt
more, and talk
excessively during
developmental years.
Social growth is delayed,
- Activity lvl more overt in
boys; girls show less
impulsiveness &
aggression but more
anxiety, mood swings,
social withdrawal, and
cognitive & language
delays.
- Girls also tend
to be older at
time of
diagnosis.
- Even gifted children
may have trouble in
school b/c they have
difficulty following a
conventional routine.
- Discipline may
be a problem.
- Etiology largely unknown.
Lead, prenatal exposure to
drugs and alcohol, genetics,
and environment may all
be factors.
- Sugars, chocolate,
high-carb foods and
beverages, and
certain additives
have been blamed,
but that has been
refuted.
- Deficit or dysfunction of
dopamine, norpeinephrine,
or serotonin in the reticular
activating system may be
cause.
- Families of these
children must be
educated about
behavioral strategies
for their children.
- From an early age, the
child must be educated
about the disorder and
understand there's
consequences for
actions.
- Self-esteem should also be
fostered so self-worth can
develop.
- Know importance of
meds management &
compliance.
- 1/3-1/2 of ADHD
children have it as
adults.
- Looks similar to a mood disorder
- May have problems with keeping jobs, drug &
alcohol abuse
- Left untreated, it can cause low
self-esteem, diminished social success,
and criminal or violent behavior.
- Pharmacotherapy
- Main treatment is CNS
stimulants.
- These reverse many of the
symptoms, helping pt. focus.
- May cause paradoxical
hyperactivity.
- Side effects include
insomnia, nervousness,
anorexia, weight loss,
dizziness, depression,
irritability, nausea, or
abdominal pain.
- All are schedule II
- Methylphenidate
(Ritalin) abuse is
increasing in teens
who want to stay
awake or lose weight.
- Non-CNS stimulants.
- Less efficacy when taken
alone, but good for
adjunctive therapy.
- Atomoxetine (Strattera)
selectively inhibits
presynaptic release of
norepinephrine
- Some of these drugs
work for 24 hr w/few
and tolerable adverse
effects.
- Similar efficacy to
methylphenidate,
- Side effects include headache, insomnia,
upper abdominal pain, anorexia, and cough.
- Not a scheduled substance.