HEALTH & BEAUTY
You&Your health
With expert Pharmacist Andrew Watson of Good Measure Pharmacy Learning to manage ADHD
We hear a lot about ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) today, but is your child at risk of being labelled a ‘naughty’ child or does he or she have the syndrome? And, if so, what can be done to help manage the symptoms and support families?
In 1902, British paediatrician Sir George Still discovered that some children could not control their behaviour in the same way that most children do. He delivered a series of lectures on the subject to the Royal College of Physicians in London describing 43 children of normal intelligence whose behaviour included a lack of sustained attention, a resistance to discipline, signs of aggression or defiance and who could be excessively emotional or passionate.
His lectures were published later that same year in the leading medical journal the Lancet. The behaviour described by Sir George has since been understood by many ADHD historians as being likely to have qualified as the current disorder of ADHD combined type. Since that long ago time, although the exact cause of ADHD remains unknown and there is no cure, the condition is recognised as a behaviour disorder and its symptoms and management are better understood. Treatment options are now more holistic including education as well as medication. ADHD is thought to run in families and research has also identified some possible differences in the brains of people with ADHD from those without, such as areas being bigger or smaller, although the
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significance of these is not yet clear. The symptoms are usually noticed at an early age and generally diagnosed between six and 12 years. Symptoms can continue into adulthood although they may improve with age.
All children go through phases of being restless and inattentive which are entirely normal so it’s important for families to seek advice if they’re worried about a child and need support.
ADHD symptoms typically include examples of inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness such as:
• Being unable to sit still and constantly fidgeting
• Being easily distracted • Having a short attention span and being unable to stick to tasks
• Showing little or no sense of danger
• Talking excessively and interrupting others
• Appearing to be unable to listen and follow instructions • Acting without thinking
If you think your child has ADHD it’s worth talking to their teacher to see if they have any concerns as the condition can lead to them under-achieving at school. Your GP may ask you to observe your child for several weeks or possibly months to see if the condition remains the same. If ADHD is suspected, you should be referred to a specialist.
Once a diagnosis is given - and this is dependent on a child displaying several symptoms for
several months - then medication may be prescribed. For children over the age of six this may be methylphenidate (Ritalin and other brands) which has a calming effect but can include side effects such as anxiety and insomnia among others. Doses are usually started low and slowly increased to measure response.
Amphetamines are another
option. Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) is the usual one and again the dose is carefully monitored by a specialist. It is a stimulant and side effects can include insomnia, decreased appetite and stomach disorders. Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a non-stimulant medicine only given with specialist supervision. It is not suitable for children with certain conditions such as asthma and may interact with over the counter remedies so it’s important to check with your pharmacist or GP. The use of complementary medicine to help with ADHD includes a high dose of fish oil (omega 3), usually in a capsule form and supplements of zinc, iron and magnesium. These can be taken alongside prescription medication and may allow the dose of medication to be reduced. Adults are occasionally
diagnosed with ADHD but usually because it has not been diagnosed in childhood. It is not as pronounced in an adult but can have similar symptoms leading to poor performance at work and mental health issues such as depression. ADHD is a lifelong condition but with counselling and medication it can be managed successfully.
Other therapies that may help are counselling, and cognitive
behavioural therapy. Advice for living with ADHD has made progress and some of the following tips may help:
• Plan the day: well defined routines broken down into simple steps can make a difference
• Set clear boundaries: be clear about expected behaviour and give praise or remove privileges accordingly
• Be specific: e.g instead of asking your child to tidy up, ask them to put their toys in the toybox
• Give incentives: use a star chart and set simple goals but change the goals to avoid boredom
• Interaction: keep social situations short and avoid times when your child is tired or hungry
• Intervene early: look out for warning signs and distract or remove your child from a fraught situation
• Get help at school: keep teachers informed and ask for extra support if needed
Andrew Watson
If you have any specific health concerns, please feel free to contact me at Good Measure or email me at
andy@thewatsons.co.uk
In future editions of Aroundtown l hope to address your concerns.
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