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Mental Health Tips > Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurobehavioural developmental disorder. Children suffering from ADHD usually present with hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattention symptoms. The prevalence of ADHD among Hong Kong school children is similar to that of the international figure, which is around 5-9%. It usually affects male more than female. 1. Characteristic of ADHD ADHD children have problems with the following three domains: A. Hyperactivity
B. Impulsiveness
C. Inattention
Many children are inattentive and restless. This does not necessarily mean they have ADHD. It only becomes a problem when inattention, hyperactive and impulsive symptoms are exaggerated, when compared to other children of the same age, and when the behaviour affects the child's social and school life. To establish the diagnosis of ADHD, adequate symptoms criteria should be present before 7 years old and they should have present for half a year. 2. Causes of ADHD Up till now, the definite causes of ADHD could not be found. But research points out that the volume of the brain of an ADHD child may be smaller than that of a normal child by 3-5%. This reduction in size is particularly significant for the frontal lobe and temporal lobe. In fact, the frontal lobe is the brain area which is responsible for attention and impulse control. Other research also points out that there may be imbalance in the dopamine system (a type of neurotransmitter in the brain) in patient’s brain. 3. Treatment of ADHD Medication and behavioural treatment can bring significant improvement over symptoms of ADHD. i. Medication
Stimulant medication-Methylphenidate Results from different researches on stimulant medication indicate that around 65-80% of ADHD children show significant response to stimulant medication e.g. reduced activity level, reduced disruptive and impulsve behaviours and increased attention span. Side effects of Methylphenidate include the following:
In general, the side effects of Methylphenidate are mild and transient and they usually improved upon reduction of dosage and rearrangement of dosing schedule. Some parents may choose to withhold medication during school holiday (Drug holiday). This may help to reduce the influence of side effects but it may also worsen the symptoms in patient. So careful consideration and discussion with doctor is necessary. B. Non-stimulant medication includes Imipramine, Clonidine and Atomoxetine Side effects of these medications include:
ii. Behavioural Treatment 4. Conclusion Children who receive specialist treatment tailored to their needs may benefit considerably. Some problems with attention and lack of control might continue into adult life. However, with help, most hyperactive children will have settled down by the time they reach their mid-teens. They will have been able to catch up with their learning, improve their school performance and make friends. Websites with relevant information / Reference
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