ADHD (ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER)

ADHD (ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER)

1. What is ADHD?

>> ADHD is attention deficit hyperactive disorder.

2. What are symptoms of ADHD?

>> Restless, inattentive in the class, making careless mistakes, often forgets pens/pencils/belongings, trouble finishing homework, doesn’t follow instructions, difficulty in copying from the board, impatient, blurts out answers, leaves the seat and climbs excessively, talks too much interrupts others and always “on the go”.

3. What age it affects?

>> Its the developmental condition mostly seen in school-going children but can be seen in pre-schoolers (3 to 5 years), Adolescents and sometimes seen in Adults.

4. Why it occurs?

>> Genetic, Birth Complications – Low Birth Weight and Preterm Babies, Environmental factors,

5. Whether ADHD improves with time?

>> In most children hyperactivity comes down with age, inattention and disorganization persist in some.

6.  What is the treatment?

>> Generally ADHD responds well to medication. In preschool children, behavioural therapy can be tried before medications.

7. What are medications used for ADHD?

>> There are well-tested medications like methyl Phenindate, Atomoxetine and Clonidine.

8. What are the behavioural therapy techniques helpful?

>> Praise the child for good behaviour – Immediate, Consistent, Contingent and clear. Consistent consequences for negative behaviour – Time Out, response cost, avoid punishment, Include more physical activities/ Sports, Regular touch with the school for behaviour reports, Give frequent breaks/ Make tasks are more interesting.

-------- Dr. Praveen Kumar

Consultant & Adolescent Psychiatrist

AUTISM (LAST PART)

                                                                       AUTISM

8. Whether medicines have a lot of side effects?

>> There are 2 medicines which are recommended for this and are tested safe by research Risperidone and Aripiprazole.

9. How early we should start treatment?

>>  As early as possible, the brain has maximum plasticity up from 0 to 4 years, therefore very important to start therapy.

10. How long we have to do therapy?

>> We have to continue intensive therapy at least for 6 months to 1 year to see significant changes.

11. Whether they become aggressive during the adolescent stage?

>>  Yes, some children become aggressive when they reach Adolescence which may be due to various reasons like hormonal changes, new-onset psychiatric problems like depression, psychosis, OCD etc.

12. Whether we need to restrict certain food like milk, chocolate, sugar and gluten diet?

>> The the latest research shows there is little evidence for such association and in-fact all foods are necessary for brain development.

13. Whether stem cell therapy is effective?

>> The research is not conclusive on this intervention so there are no recommendations from any of the academic excellent centres all over the world.

14. Whether biomedical treatment is effective?

>> There is no conclusive evidence about this treatment and therefore there is no recommendation by premier academic institutions.

15. Whether hyperactivity is because of ADHD or AUTISM?

>> Hyperactivity can itself be seen in Autism or sometimes Autism and ADHD can coexist. 

-------- Dr Praveen Kumar

Consultant & Adolescent Psychiatrist