Comment: A worrying trend
Nikos Myttas
pp 3-3
It is a message we need to take notice of: the US Drug Abuse Warning Network, which monitors drug-related morbidity and mortality, has recently reported a 57% increase in emergency room admissions involving stimulant medications between 2005 and 2010. One-half of the visits were related to non-medical use of stimulants for those aged 18 and over, the highest incidence being in the 18–25 age group. There was no significant increase in the non-medical use of stimulants for those aged under 18. Marijuana was the most common drug combined with stimulants for 15–17-year-olds, and alcohol for 18–25-year-olds.
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Pharmacoepidemiology and stimulant prescribing practices in France
Alessia Muller and Diane Purper-Ouakil
pp 4-6
Pharmacoepidemiology is the study of the use and effects of drugs in large numbers of the population. The aim of this article is to present stimulant prescription practices in France, explain the legal context and compare French practices with those of other countries.
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Adolescents with ADHD – taking a sexual history
Nwanneka N Sargant and Fiona Finlay
pp 7-9
Sexual history-taking is the first step towards providing reproductive, contraceptive and sexually transmitted infection (STI) counselling. Taking a sexual history from a patient can help the healthcare professional in their attempts to reduce high-risk sexual behaviours, STIs and unintended pregnancies, and also offer an opportunity to provide the patient with information and support. Adolescents are having sex: the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles in Great Britain, published in 2000, found that nearly one-third of men and a quarter of women aged 16–19 had engaged in heterosexual intercourse before the age of 16.
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Therapeutic use exemptions in ADHD
Imran Mushtaq and Jade Smith
pp 10-12
A 14-year-old boy with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is seen in a child and adolescent mental health services clinic. He has been on immediate-release methylphenidate for the past six years, and is currently taking 10 mg methylphenidate three times per day. His symptoms are well controlled, and there are no concerns either at home or school. He has a short stature, and is also on growth hormone injection treatment under the care of a consultant paediatrician. He is one of the country’s finest judo players and represents the English junior team for national and international competitions.
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ADHD co-morbidity within an inpatient setting
Nigel Humphrey
pp 13-15
As a clinical psychologist working with a Tier 4 adolescent inpatient service, I tend to have a complex and varied caseload. Co-morbidity is the norm rather than the exception, and it is highly unlikely for somebody to be admitted to the hospital for ADHD only. However, ADHD does need to be considered, as comorbidity rates run from 50–90%.
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ADDISS Conference 2012
Kirstin Knight
pp 16-17
‘It is perhaps in keeping with the subject of our conference that proceedings will be beginning 45 minutes late!’ So began the tenth conference of ADDISS (Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Services), a UK-based charitable organisation established in the late 1990s to support attention deficit hyperactivity disorder patients and their families. On a rainy October day in central London, more than 200 delegates assembled for two days of talks and workshops. The day began with a series of keynote speeches.
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Behaviour management groups for parents – one centre’s experience
Núria Reina, Montserrat Pàmias, Mireia Querol, Raquel Martínez and Eulàlia Piera
pp 18-22
Care for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in our hospital is based on our internal ADHD guide, which was designed by our clinical team, together with colleagues from primary care, educational services and social services. This guide follows recommendations from systematic, evidence-based reviews, which identify only three treatments as having high efficacy for ADHD: training in behaviour modification techniques (for parents, teachers and others), psychopharmacological treatment or a combination of both.
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AFRB
pp 23-23
ADHD–ASC–DYSLEXIA Family Resources Belgium (AFRB) is a non-profit organisation staffed entirely by volunteers who provide support, resources and training for families, teachers and therapists affected by ADHD, ASC and dyslexia and other LDs.
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