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Definition of ADD:
The “official” clinical diagnosis is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder or ADHD. ADHD is then broken down into three different
subtypes: Combined Type, Predominantly Inattentive Type, and Predominantly
Hyperactive-Impulsive Type. When speaking about ADD or ADHD we are
basically talking about the same thing.
ADHD is a
diagnosis applied to children and adults who consistently display
certain characteristics and behaviors over a period of time. Some of
the most common features include:
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Distractibility (poor sustained attention to tasks)
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Impulsivity (impaired impulse control and delay of gratification)
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Hyperactivity (excessive activity and physical restlessness)
In order to be clinically diagnosed with ADHD the behaviors must be
excessive, long-term and
pervasive. The behaviors
must begin to appear before the age of seven and continue for at least six
months. These behaviors also must create difficulties in at least two
areas of an individual’s life, such as school, home, work or social
settings. It is very common to see in many school-aged children some
symptoms. To be diagnosed with ADHD all criteria must be met. In
children, the symptoms must be more frequent or severe than in other
children of the same age.
Symptoms:
According to
the DSM IV (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders,
Fourth Edition) some specific symptoms include:
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Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
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Often has difficulty sustaining attention to tasks
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Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
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Often fails to follow instructions carefully and completely
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Often loses or forgets important things
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Often feels restless
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Often fidgets with hands or feet, or squirms; runs or climbs excessively
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Often talks excessively
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Often blurts out answers before hearing the whole question
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Often has difficulty awaiting turn
Remember the severity and exact nature of
the diagnosis varies from person to person.
Treatment:
In treating ADHD in children and teens, a
team approach is recommended. This team approach includes educational,
psychological and medical interventions. Some examples of these
interventions include:
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Parent training in diagnosis, treatment and specific behavior-intervention
techniques.
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An appropriate educational program for the child.
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Individual and family counseling when needed.
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Medication when needed.
One of the most
important techniques is consistency and positive reinforcement, in which the
child is rewarded for desired behavior.
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Most
children experience the feeling of anxiety before an important event such as
the first day of school, before a first date or before an exam. Fear
and anxiety are a necessary and normal part of life. According to the
National Institute of Mental Health, 19 million Americans with anxiety face
much more than just “normal” anxiety. Instead their lives are filled
with overwhelming anxiety and fear that can be intense and crippling.
If these feelings are left untreated, these disorders can dramatically
diminish an individual’s quality of life. In children, anxiety
disorders can lead to poor school attendance, low self-cient interpersonal
skills, alcohol abuse, and adjustment difficulty.
What are the most common anxiety disorders?
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Panic Disorder:
Characterized by panic attacks, panic disorder results in sudden feelings
of terror that strike repeatedly and without warning. Children and
adolescents with this disorder may experience unrealistic worry,
self-consciousness and tension.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):
Characterized by repeated, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts (obsessions)
and/or rituals that seem impossible to control. Adolescents may be
aware that their symptoms don’t make sense and are excessive, but younger
children may be distressed only when they are prevented from carrying out
their compulsive habits. Some examples include: counting, arranging,
and excessive hand washing.
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
Characterized by persistent
symptoms that occur only after the individual experiences a trauma such as
abuse, natural disaster, or extreme violence. A recent example of
trauma that may cause one to suffer from PTSD is experiencing the events
of September 11th. Symptoms include nightmares,
flashbacks, the numbing of emotions, depression, feeling anger,
irritability, and distractedness.
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Phobias:
A phobia is a disabling and irrational
fear of something that really poses little or no actual danger. This
fear in turn leads to avoidance of objects or situations and can cause
extreme feelings of terror, dread, and panic. “Specific phobias”
center around particular objects such as certain animals and heights.
Common symptoms for children and adolescents with “social” phobia are
hypersensitivity to criticism, have difficulty being assertive, and having
low self-esteem.
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
Characterized by chronic, exaggerated worry about everyday activities,
which lasts at least six months. Children and adolescents with this
disorder usually anticipate the worst and often complain of fatigue,
tension, headaches and nausea.
Treatment:
If someone you know has or if you have
symptoms of anxiety, a visit to the family physician is usually the best
place to start. A physical can help determine whether the symptoms are
due to an anxiety disorder, some other medical condition, or both.
Following this, the next step is getting a referral to a mental health
professional.
Effective treatment for anxiety disorders includes medication, specific
forms of psychotherapy (behavioral therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy),
family therapy, or a combination of these.
Babior,
S., and Goldman, C.
Overcoming Panic, Anxiety, & Phobias: New Strategies to Free
Yourself from Worry and Fear.
Duluth, MN: Pfeifer-Hamilton, 1996
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