Comment: Stormy weather
Rob Rodrigues Pereira
pp 23-23
Many readers of ADHD in practice will live in countries that have suffered to some extent from recession. This affects not only the gross national product of a country, but also the 5–25% of inhabitants with mental health problems, who experience problems with optimal awareness, diagnosis and treatment.
|
Consent for medical treatment of ADHD in children and young people
Cornelius Ani
pp 24-27
The effective treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can prevent academic, occupational and relationship problems and reduce the risk of hospitalisation, substance misuse and criminality. The clinical encounter with the majority of children presenting for ADHD treatment is straightforward and proceeds without difficulty. Occasionally, however, treatment gets tangled in disputes, which sometimes involve consent. Although guidelines on consent are readily available, applying them to frontline clinical situations can sometimes prove challenging.
|
Antecedents, assessment and treatment response
Nigel Humphrey
pp 28-28
It is pleasing to see that ADHD research continues at a prolific pace and across a diverse spectrum. In this edition, we highlight research exploring the correlation between prematurity and predominantly inattentive ADHD. We also feature a new assessment tool for adult ADHD – informing a patient that we are assessing them on the DIVA scale may incur some judgment, but at least it’s free. A study by Faraone et al, which compares the efficacy of a game compared to traditional assessment tools, should appeal to practitioners trying to motivate young people for assessments. Lastly, Chiarenza et al report an interesting observation in electroencephalogram profiles of atomoxetine responders.
|
Supporting children with ADHD in school settings: the role of healthcare professionals
Bill Colley
pp 29-32
Healthcare professionals have an important role to play in the successful treatment and management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in school-age children and young people (CYP). This role includes not only assessment and diagnosis, but also supporting teachers, special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs) and classroom assistants in the formulation of individualised intervention programmes that reduce long- term risk and, thus, improve outcomes.
|
Mindfulness training for childhood ADHD: a promising and innovative treatment
Renée Meppelink, Esther I de Bruin & Susan M Bögels
pp 33-36
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterised by inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive behaviour and is one of the most common mental health problems, with 5% of children now meeting the diagnostic criteria. Currently, medication is the most effective and most common treatment for ADHD. The last 20–30 years have seen a sharp rise in drug prescriptions for ADHD, with nearly 70% of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD in the US now receiving medication. However, concerns have been raised about the potential limitations of ADHD medications, including their side effects, the necessity to continue use to maintain beneficial effects, low treatment adherence, stigmatisation and uncertain long-term effectiveness and safety. The demand for non-pharmacological treatments for ADHD is, therefore, high, but the effectiveness of those currently available, such as dietary interventions, free fatty acid supplementation, cognitive training, neuro-feedback and behavioural interventions, is debatable. As such, the need for further interventions targeting the core symptoms of ADHD remains.
|
ADHD and depression in adults
Hervé Caci
pp 37-39
In the late 1950s, methylphenidate, in the combination drug Ritonic, was commercialised to alleviate the symptoms of chronic fatigue, depression and apathy in older adults. However, no randomised clinical trials had been conducted and it was withdrawn from the market a few years later, due to a lack of evidence of efficacy. Over fifty years later, studies of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and co-morbid mood disorders in patients of all ages have put this topic back on the agenda with more robust arguments.
|