The child behind Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: an illustrated account

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-73
Author(s):  
L Sravanti ◽  
U Karki ◽  
KM Rajendra ◽  
SP Shesadri

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition if identified early can ensure less morbidity and better prognosis. It is important to help the child behind the problem and not to look at child as the problem. A holistic approach involving parents as active agents of change will serve the best interests of the child. Therefore, psychoeducation of family members is essential as it helps to improve parental understanding of the condition and reduce punitive responses toward the child. Parents also need to be empowered with behavioural management techniques to manage the problem behaviours stemming from the underlying condition. In this article, we present an illustrated model using a fictional character for psychoeducation of families about ADHD and give an overview of major psychosocial interventions with a focus on environmental modification.

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Banaschewski ◽  
Brendan Belsham ◽  
Michael H Bloch ◽  
Maite Ferrin ◽  
Mats Johnson ◽  
...  

While pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions are recommended as the primary frontline treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), alternative approaches to managing ADHD are becoming increasingly popular among patients and their families. Supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is an example of this. PUFA supplementation is not recommended by guidelines for managing ADHD; however, patients may still decide to use it. To provide direction to healthcare professionals (HCPs) managing ADHD, eight international experts in the field of adult and child ADHD came together for the Continuum Education Board: Omega Supplements in ADHD meeting. This commentary summarises the panel's consensus that current evidence suggests PUFA supplementation has a small beneficial effect on behaviour in children with ADHD, and that further high-quality research is needed to clearly evaluate and define its role in the management of ADHD of children, adolescents and adults. The panel concluded that in cases where patients use PUFA supplementation, HCPs should be comfortable explaining the potential gains that they may have and their possible side effects. The panel also concluded HCPs should not reinforce the idea that PUFA supplementation should replace treatment approaches with a more robust evidence base for managing ADHD.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S33-S33
Author(s):  
A. Philipsen

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a serious risk factor for co-occurring psychiatric disorders and negative psychosocial consequences over the lifespan. Given this background, there is a need for an effective treatment of ADHD patients.In the lecture, evidence-based psychosocial interventions for ADHD will be presented.Disclosure of interestBooks and articles on ADHD.Ad Boards, Phase-III Studies on ADHD in the last five years.


Author(s):  
Iulia Dud ◽  
Louise Brennan ◽  
Dene Robertson

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are common neurodevelopmental disorders. Impairments in attention and executive functions are core characteristics of ADHD. ASD is primarily characterized by severe deficits in social communication, but cognitive impairments are common, including in attention and executive functions. Currently, there is only limited evidence for efficacy of either pharmacological or behavioral interventions for the treatment of the cognitive deficits associated with the disorders. This chapter presents the current evidence base for cognitive enhancements for ADHD and ASD. It summarizes evidence from available and experimental pharmacological interventions, as well as behavioral, cognitive, and psychosocial interventions. The chapter also discusses the limitations of current tools and future directions.


Author(s):  
Stephen P. Hinshaw ◽  
Rachel G. Klein ◽  
Howard B. Abikoff

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a persistent disorder of childhood and adolescence that mandates early and effective intervention. Among psychosocial interventions, direct contingency management applies systematic manipulation of rewards and punishments in specialized settings. It typically yields large effects on behavior and academic performance, but (a) outcomes are often appraised through single-case experimental designs, outside the typology of clinical trials used in this volume, and (b) their effects tend not to generalize or maintain beyond the settings in which they are applied. Clinical behavior therapy involves consultation with parents and teachers regarding optimal home and school management practices. A number of Type 2 trials demonstrate the clinical value of such procedures for the behavior problems of children with ADHD as rated by parents and teachers but typically not by independent observations. Several Type 1 investigations of systematic combinations of direct contingency management plus clinical behavior therapy have yielded findings indicating significant improvements, but effects on symptoms are smaller than those found with medication. Multimodal treatment—combining intensive behavioral intervention with well-delivered pharmacological agents—does not always reveal significantly superior outcomes to medication alone, but it more consistently yields normalization of behavior patterns among children with ADHD. Further work on tailoring psychosocial interventions to ADHD-related deficits and impairments and on promoting generalized change beyond specifically targeted behaviors is urgently needed.


Author(s):  
Steve Pearce ◽  
Gail Critchlow

This chapter reviews research and expert guidelines on inpatient management of personality disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It covers use of medication, milieu approaches, other psychosocial interventions, the impact of the ward environment, quality assurance mechanisms, and the impact of institutionalization. Ways in which formal therapeutic approaches can be implemented on inpatient wards are also addressed. The effect of risky and challenging behaviours on defensive practice and staff burnout is covered, and detailed advice on managing suicidal and high-risk patients who are difficult to discharge safely is included. The chapter details specific approaches to milieu management, use of observations, personalized care plans, and communication styles in borderline personality disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Patients with these diagnoses constitute an important group of inpatients, and with careful management, iatrogenic harms can be avoided.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. S77-S87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole K. Schatz ◽  
Ariel M. Aloe ◽  
Gregory A. Fabiano ◽  
William E. Pelham ◽  
Alyssa Smyth ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Delgado

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common and thoroughly researched neuropsychiatric disorder affecting children and adolescents. The prevalence of ADHD ranges from 8 to 12% in school-age children, and 70% of these individuals continue to meet DSM-5 criteria for the disorder in adolescence. ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in boys compared with girls. ADHD is chronic, with prominent symptoms and impairment in family, social, and academic functioning. ADHD is often associated with comorbid disorders, including disruptive, mood, and anxiety disorders, and can increase the risk of developing substance use disorders. The diagnosis of ADHD requires a comprehensive clinical assessment, including a detailed history, clinical interview, and collateral information, and is clinically established by review of symptoms and impairment and having established a developmental history of the symptoms. The biological underpinning of the disorder is supported by genetic, neuroimaging, neurochemistry, and neuropsychological data. Treatment should attend to developmental milestones of the child and include family and individual psychosocial interventions. Psychosocial interventions in combination with medication are helpful for ADHD and comorbid problems. Pharmacotherapy, including psychostimulants, noradrenergic agents, alpha agonists, and antidepressants, plays a fundamental role in the treatment and management of ADHD. This review contains 2 figures, 9 tables, and 114 references. Key words: attention, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, comorbidity, hyperactivity, impulsivity, learning, nonstimulants, psychosocial, psychostimulants, treatment


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