When hyperactivity in kids ceases to be normal

25 января, 2003
Tina Arceo-Dumlao 01/25/2003 WHEN celebrity Kris Aquino came out in the open and said that her son, Joshua, was suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder , many Filipinos realized that children they used to label as sobrang malikot were actually sick and in need of special medical treatment. Philippine Daily Inquirer via NewsEdge Corporation : Tina Arceo-Dumlao 01/25/2003 WHEN celebrity Kris Aquino came out in the open and said that her son, Joshua, was suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), many Filipinos realized that children they used to label as sobrang malikot (too fidgety) were actually sick and in need of special medical treatment. But even with a greater awareness of ADHD, studies show that less than one percent of Filipino children suffering from it are actually diagnosed of the ailment. Dr. Peter Joare, a member of the medical faculty of the University of Edinburgh and one of the leading authorities on ADHD, said global figures are just as bad, with only between 3 and 10 percent of children worldwide affected by ADHD getting diagnosed. One of the reasons behind the low diagnosis rate is the lack of awareness of the disease and the fact that many of the symptoms can be dismissed as simple bad behavior and are thus left untreated. More boys affected ADHD is a psychiatric disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that occur more frequently or severely compared to other children their age, thus affecting their performance in school or in social gatherings. It was first diagnosed 100 years ago by George Still, an Englishman, who described it as a "disorder of moral control." ADHD occurs more frequently in boys than in girls, with male to female ratios ranging from 4:1 to 9:1. It occurs across cultures as well as socioeconomic levels. Symptoms occur before the age of 7. Three types There are three main types: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive and a combination of the two. Those considered primarily inattentive have difficulty following instructions, avoid or dislike tasks that require sustained mental effort, are easily distracted, do not appear to listen and have difficulty with organization. The hyperactive/impulsive types fidget with hands or feet or squirm in their chair, have difficulty engaging in activities quietly, act as if driven by a motor, talk excessively, have difficulty waiting or taking turns and interrupt or intrude upon others. The combined type shows symptoms of both types. In an interview with the Inquirer during his recent visit to Manila, Joare said some children suffering from ADHD outgrow these symptoms but as much as 50 to 60 percent of untreated children carry the disease up to adulthood. "If left untreated, most ADHD sufferers would grow up to be at greater risk to substance abuse and then to road accidents because they are either inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive. Their sense of danger is also impaired," Joare said. What causes ADHD? The cause of ADHD is still unknown but a majority of research works on the disease suggest that it is caused by neurological and genetic factors. Joare explained that children are normally born with some degree of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity but as their brain develops, controls are put in place to inhibit these behaviors to promote learning and motivation. Joare said the chemicals that help the brain inhibit these behaviors are imbalanced in children and adults with ADHD. Drugs like Concerta of Johnson & Johnson help correct this chemical imbalance. Unlike other drugs, Concerta is taken only once a day and is effective for about 12 hours. Drugs, however, are not enough to cure ADHD. Joare said medicine should be combined with behavioral modification therapy to help a child overcome the debilitating effects of ADHD. Copyright 2003. All Rights Reserved. Financial Times Information Limited - Asia Africa Intelligence Wire <> << Copyright ©2003 Financial Times Limited, All Rights Reserved >>
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