DR. DAWN HARPER

ADHD

DR. DAWN HARPER | ADHD

DR. DAWN HARPER | ADHD 2/3

I remember a memorable surgery I held not too long ago, when about halfway through I was met by a human hurricane in the form of a five year old boy I will call Jack. In just ten minutes Jack knocked over my plants, emptied a box of tissues over the floor, put muddy footprints over my examination couch and pulled the earpiece off my stethoscope.

His mother looked exhausted and I’m sure she was because this is the way Jack behaves all day, 365 days a year – he has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). He is no longer invited to friends’ houses and has already been excluded from school – a typical scenario for the one in 20 children in this country who have ADHD.

The condition is due to an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, causing impulsivity, hyperactivity and poor attention span. It is four times more common in boys than girls and interestingly, boys tend to be predominantly impulsive and hyperactive whilst girls have more problems with inattention. There is also a strong genetic link - if a family has one child with ADHD the chances that a brother or sister will have the disorder is one in three. The good news is that if these children are diagnosed early and treated that we can save them from a life of underachievement and failed relationships. Most experts agree that the most effective treatment involves a combination of psychological therapy, family therapy, educational modifications and for the most severe cases, medication that alters the levels of chemicals in the brain. Some parents also find an improvement in behaviour when they exclude certain foods such as chocolate, cola and artificial colourings.

For more information on ADHD and how it is treated visit www.addiss.co.uk.

My four year old son is causing me concern. He has always been a “full on” child but he is becoming increasingly disruptive and has temper tantrums most days. Things have got so bad that he is no longer invited to friends to play and the nursery he attends is struggling to cope. Could he have Attention Deficit Disorder and how do I go about getting help for him … and me?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a complex condition characterised by impulsivity, hyperactivity and poor attention span. One of the clues to diagnosis is that these symptoms present in all settings, not for

ADHDAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

DR. DAWN HARPER | ADHD 3/3

example, just at home and from what you say, your son could be a sufferer. The condition is more common than people think with around 5% of school age children being affected and it’s four times more common in boys than girls. Interestingly, boys tend to be impulsive and hyperactive, whilst girls with the condition have more problems with attention. Your first port of call should be your GP who will be able to refer you to a specialist if necessary.

My son’s been diagnosed with ADHD and my doctor wants to prescribe Ritalin. Is there any good alternative?

Most experts agree that the best way to treat ADHD is with a combined approach using psychology, educational interventions, behavioural therapy and if necessary medication together rather than one or the other. Some parents also find that excluding additives and E numbers from the diet helps. Ritalin is used in severe cases and is only started by specialists. It starts to work within 30 – 60 minutes and gives a window of opportunity when children can focus better - if your doctor feels your son would benefit it is probably worth a try.

I’m worried because I have absolutely no attention span – I can’t concentrate on anything. I’m always day-dreaming and lately I’ve been walking into doors and lamp posts. I read an article about Attention Deficit Disorder and it sounds just like me. What should I do?

ADHD is characterised by a combination of impulsive behaviour and poor concentration and interestingly, although it is four times more common in boys, girls who suffer with the condition often have more problems with attention span than hyperactivity. There is evidence

that omega 3 fatty acid supplements can help improve concentration and cutting out foods high in E numbers is also worth a try. But it sounds like your clumsiness has only developed recently Lucy and if that’s the case then you should get it checked out by your GP first.

What to do if you are concerned:

• If you are concerned that your child could have ADHD, ask for a psychological assessment, particularly if there are other members of the family who suffer. There is a strong genetic link – a family with one child with ADHD, has a one in three chance of having a brother or sister with the disorder.

• Check food labels for E numbers, which can cause children with ADHD to be more disruptive – avoid them where possible. One of the worst is E102 (tartrazine) which gives foods an orange colouring.

• Behavioural therapies including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and family therapy focus on changing individual behaviours have been to shown to help children with ADHD – ask your doctor about local services.

• If your child has ADHD, make sure you have lots of healthy snacks in stock like nuts, oatcakes and smoothies, avoid sugary snacks and fizzy drinks which only make the problem worse

• Omega 3 fatty acids help improve behaviour in children with ADHD – ask your pharmacist about child friendly supplements

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