What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition that mainly affects behaviour. It is usually diagnosed in children but can affect adults as well. There may also be problems with the child's intellectual, social and psychological development as a result of the behaviour. Symptoms include persistent restlessness, impulsiveness and/or inattention. The diagnosis is made after a detailed assessment. Treatment includes parent-training programs and sometimes medication.

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

Children with ADHD show persistent restlessness, impulsiveness and/or inattention. These features are seen in more than one setting - for example, at school, at home and at play area with other children. They are also seen in more than one activity - for example, in schoolwork and in relationships. They occur at a level greater than expected for their age and cause significant disruption to the child's daily life.
There are three subtypes of ADHD:

Hyperactive-impulsive subtype. Some features of this type of ADHD are that a child may:

• Fidget a lot.
• Run around in inappropriate situations.
• Have difficulty playing quietly.
• Talk excessively.
• Interrupt others.
• Have trouble waiting their turn in games, in conversations and also in queues.

Inattention subtype. In this subtype, a child may:

• Have trouble concentrating and paying attention.
• Make careless mistakes and not listen to, or follow through on, instructions.
• Be easily distracted.
• Be forgetful in daily activities and lose essential items such as school books or toys.
• Have trouble organising activities.

Combined subtype. If a child has this subtype, they have features of both of the other subtypes.

Children with ADHD are also more likely than average to have other problems such as anxiety and depression, conduct disorders and co-ordination difficulties. Some children with ADHD also have reading difficulties and dyslexia.

What causes ADHD?

The cause of ADHD is not known. It is thought that there may be subtle changes in parts of the brain which control impulses and concentration. Although the main cause of ADHD is not known, various factors are thought to increase the risk of a child developing ADHD. These include:

• Genetics. Genes are passed on to a child from each parent. Our genes determine how our body functions, what we look like and sometimes what diseases we will get. Some studies have shown that certain genes are related to ADHD. A child may therefore be more likely to have ADHD if there is another family member such as mother, father, brother or sister with ADHD.
• Antenatal problems. If a mother drinks alcohol, smokes or takes heroin while she is pregnant, this may increase the risk of her child developing ADHD.
• Obstetric problems. This means problems that occur when a baby is born, such as a difficult labour causing lack of oxygen to the brain. Babies with very low birth weight have an increased risk of developing ADHD.
• Severe deprivation. If a child is severely neglected early in life, this may increase their risk of developing ADHD.

Factors in a child's upbringing such as poor parenting, watching a lot of TV or DVDs, family stress, etc, do not cause ADHD. However, such factors may make the behaviour of a child with ADHD worse. Diet may be a factor (discussed further later).

How common is ADHD?

ADHD affects around 3 in 100 school-aged children in India. It is around three times more common in boys than in girls. Although ADHD is usually diagnosed in children aged 3-7 years, it may not be recognised until much later in life.

How is ADHD diagnosed?

There is no simple test to diagnose ADHD. If your child's teacher or doctor suspects that your child may have ADHD, it is likely your child will be referred to a specialist. The specialist will be able to confirm the diagnosis by doing an assessment, and start any treatment. This specialist may be a children's doctor (a specialist paediatrician), a child psychiatrist, a member of your local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, or an adult psychiatrist. The type of specialist depends on the age of your child and also the availability of services in your local area
The assessment may involve a discussion with you and your child as well as a physical examination. The specialist may ask for a report from the school and may even want to observe your child doing certain tasks. You and your child may also see a nurse or other healthcare professionals for further testing and assessment.
There are a few aims of this assessment. These include:

• To confirm whether your child definitely has ADHD.
• To make sure that there are no other reasons that explain your child's behaviour. For example, a hearing difficulty, epilepsy or thyroid problem.
• To identify any other problems your child may have. For example, anxiety, low self-esteem or a learning difficulty.

For a doctor to make a firm diagnosis of ADHD, there are strict criteria that need to be fulfilled. For example, the symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity need to be present for at least six months. They also need to be causing problems in your child's life as well as being different from what would be expected for their age. They also must have started to occur before the age of 7, and be present in more than one setting - for example, at home and at school. In addition, other causes for your child's symptoms may need to be ruled out - for example, depression or anxiety.

What are the treatment options for ADHD?

The treatments recommended depend on how severe the condition is as well as the age of your child. Ideally, treatment should involve a team of professionals, experienced and trained in ADHD. The team may include a doctor, teacher, nurse, social worker, occupational therapist, mental healthcare professional or psychologist. Treatments include using medicines as well as other treatments.

Non-medicine treatments for ADHD

Generally, for pre-school children or for older children with mild-to-moderate ADHD, the first step is usually for you (parent or guardian) to be referred to a parent-training programme. Sometimes your child will also be referred for a group treatment programme aimed at improving behaviour. The parent programme may include such things as:

• Learning skills to manage and reduce problem behaviour.
• Learning more effective ways to communicate with your child.
• Helping you to understand your child's emotions and behaviours.

Your child's schoolteacher may be invited to be involved in the treatment process. They may be able to use certain techniques in the classroom to help your child learn and function better. Family therapy may also be helpful.
In more severe ADHD, or where the above treatments have not succeeded, medication is usually recommended.

Medicines for ADHD

There are three main medications licensed for the treatment of ADHD. Methylphenidate, Atomoxetine and Dexamphetamine are the common medicines that are used. Medicines are not usually given to children aged under 6 years. Treatment with medicines is done under the supervision of a specialist in Psychiatry and childhood behavioural disorders.

How effective is treatment with medicines?

The medicines used for ADHD have been used for many years and in many children, with good effect. A number of studies have shown that medicines with or without intensive behavioural training programmes are more effective than behavioural training programmes alone.

How does the methylphenidate work?

Methylphenidate is a type of stimulant medicine. It works by increasing the amount of a brain chemical called dopamine in certain parts of the brain. The parts that it works on are responsible for self-control and attention. Increasing the amount of dopamine in these areas of the brain stimulates them to work better. This then helps to focus your child's attention and improve concentration.

How do I give methylphenidate to my child?

Usually, your child will start on a low dose such as 5 mg three times a day and will be carefully monitored for side-effects. This dose is often increased gradually, usually over 4-6 weeks, to a maximum of 20 mg three times daily according to how well it is working and whether side-effects occur. The most common side-effects to look out for with methylphenidate are difficulty with sleep (insomnia), loss of appetite and weight loss.
Once the total daily dose has been determined, it may be possible for your child to switch to a once-daily, long-acting version of methylphenidate.
When your child is on medication, he or she should be reviewed regularly to check that the dose is working and that there are minimal side-effects. Your child will also have height, weight, pulse and blood pressure measured at regular intervals.
It is good for this review to include feedback from those who are in regular contact with your child, such as teachers, family members and other carers.

How quickly does methylphenidate work?

The short-acting methylphenidate begins working within about 20 minutes and lasts for 3-4 hours. The longer-acting version takes longer to start working but lasts for about 12 hours and gives a more stable level of medicine in the bloodstream throughout the day. It may take several weeks to see the full benefit of medication.

How long will my child be on medication?

It is common to continue medication for several years. Once children become teenagers, it is recommended to wean off the medication each year. This is to make sure that medication is still necessary.

Are the medicines safe?

The use of medicines to treat ADHD is very important in the treatment of severe ADHD and in milder forms when other treatments have not been effective. The benefits of medicines usually outweigh any risks in children with ADHD, aged over 6 years and in adolescents.
The medicines do not seem to have an addictive potential when used in children and both scientific studies and years of experience have shown that these medicines are generally safe and effective.

What about diet in ADHD?

Dietary changes for the treatment of ADHD have been widely used for many years. Avoidance of fast foods, chololates, sweets, soft drinks, stored/canned juices and dairy products have shown to be beneficial in some children.
A dietician advice is to be taken and made sure that any limited diet contains the full range of nutrients that a growing child requires.
It is, however, recommended that all people with ADHD have at least a normal healthy balanced diet, and also do some regular exercise.

Is there anything else available for older children or adults with ADHD?

Older children may benefit from psychological treatments such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or social skills training. These techniques aim to teach the child more about why they act and react the way that they do. They also give them strategies to use to help them to improve their behavior and daily functioning.
In adults, medication is recommended as part of a comprehensive treatment program. This should also include psychological therapies, advice on behavioral management and assistance with education and employment.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for those with ADHD?

Up to 80% of children with ADHD will continue to experience symptoms into their teenage years. This reduces to about 50% who continue to have some symptoms into adulthood. With age, the symptoms may change. For example, a child who was always restless may feel a lot of inner tension as an adult. It is also likely that the symptoms will reduce in severity and cause less disruption over time. As mentioned, treatment can often improve symptoms.
Children with ADHD are more likely to have other problems as adults, such as:

• Unemployment or instability of jobs
• Poor academic performance
• Relationship difficulties
• Drug and alcohol abuse and addiction
• Involvement in crime

However, treatment is aimed at improving behaviour at an early age to reduce the long-term impact of the condition.