Note from the Editor:
This article was written for the SDC by psychologist and member @Jan A. Jan A. works part-time, taking on clients under the Medicare Mental Health Care Plans. She works with people of all ages, from children to seniors!

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most misunderstood mental conditions. One myth about ADHD in children is that it is about failure to concentrate and that the child needs to try harder. Another myth is that it is all about bad behaviour and that the medication is designed to zone out the child so they behave better. The reality is that ADHD is caused by low levels of the chemical dopamine in the brain that affects a wide range of cognitive functions, leading to disadvantages in education and employment, damaged self-esteem, poor relationships, suicide attempts, accidents and drug use, which can lead to problems with the police.

The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10), 2010, classifies ADHD as a behavioural and emotional disorder with onset usually occurring in childhood and sometimes in adolescence. The condition may resolve in the late teenage years but can continue into adulthood.

Most recent estimates propose that about 80% of people who have ADHD as a child continue to have it as an adult. It seems to occur more in boys, but girls can also have it. It is highly genetic, so if one person has it, it is likely to be found elsewhere in a family. Environmental factors, such as pollutants, may contribute. Maternal smoking, drinking or drug use may be involved, as well as premature birth. Head injuries can be a factor, and some specialists will require a brain scan before prescribing medications for ADHD.

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Image Credit: Shutterstock

There are three major types: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive and combined. Traits of inattention include deficits in paying attention or focusing. This type tends to go unnoticed because they are quietly distracted, not interfering with others. Traits of the hyperactive/impulsive type include overly active behaviours that interfere with others. As they approach adulthood, the activity may lessen while the inattention remains. Traits of the combined type include both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. This is the most frequently found type of ADHD. School reports for all types will generally include comments such as 'can do better', 'tends to be easily distracted', or 'has potential if they work harder'.

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[Jo Piper3]

Thank you, Jan, not applicable to my family but I'm sure many people will benefit

 

[PattiB]

Thank you so much for this article Jan, it describes one of my great twin nephews perfectly. My niece has 8yr old twin boys one with autism the other has ADHD. Life is certainly challenging for her.

 

[MAZERATTI]

Thankyou Jan for this article. This describes me to a tea. I am 69 years of age and when I was a child, there was no such diagnosis for ADHD. I have suffered with all of the above, even into adulthood, which has made me very accident prone. I had a preliminary test with my GP and he informed me he couldn't give me the medication I needed to tone down the overactivness of mind and body. Where does a pensioner get the money to see a psychiatrist to tell them something you already know. GP's should have the power to medicate ADHD sufferers.

 

[Jan A]

Yes, Mazeratti, it is expensive to see a psychiatrist for ADHD diagnosis and treatment, not to mention it can take 6 months to a year to get an appointment. I am hopeful that the current push to authorize GPs to prescribe will succeed. It will be enormously helpful to people who would otherwise have no options to get help for their condition.