AttentIon-defIcIt/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder is a biologically based disorder characterized by a combination of inattentiveness, distractibility, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. AD/HD appears early in a child's life. It is estimated that 3-to-5 percent of school-age children are diagnosed with AD/HD and it is diagnosed more often in boys than in girls. In addition, more than half the children diagnosed with AD/HD continue to have symptoms during the adolescent years and into adulthood. Individuals with AD/HD characteristics have difficulty across multiple settings including home, school and peer relationships. AD/HD children do not do well at school or even fail, despite normal and above normal intelligence. They have difficulty sitting still and paying attention in class. They experience peer rejection and engage in a broad array of disruptive behaviors. If left untreated, AD/HD has been shown to have long-term adverse affects on academic performance, vocational success and social-emotional development. As they grow older, children with untreated AD/HD are more prone to drug abuse, antisocial behavior and injuries of all sort. Since AD/HD often continues into adulthood, this article contains a section on the diagnosis and treatment of AD/HD in adults.

Symptoms

Inattentive Type

Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

Although there is no cure for AD/HD, most experts agree that a multimodal treatment plan combining medication, education, behavioral and psychosocial treatments is the most effective approach.     Ask for help, now.

Depression in Children and Adolescents

Only in the past two decades has depression in children been taken seriously. The depressed child may pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent or worry that the parent may die. Older children may sulk, get into trouble at school, be negative, be grouchy and feel misunderstood. Because normal behaviors vary from one childhood stage to another, it can be difficult to tell whether a child is just going through a temporary phase or is suffering from depression. Sometimes the parents become worried about how the child's behavior has changed, or a teacher mentions that "your child doesn't seem to be himself." In such a case, if a visit to the child's pediatrician rules out physical symptoms, the doctor will probably suggest that he be evaluated, preferably by a psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of children. If treatment is needed, the doctor may suggest that another therapist, usually a social worker or a psychologist, provide therapy while the psychiatrist will oversee medication if it is needed.

Symptoms

Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood

Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness

Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyable

Decreased energy, fatigue or being "slowed down"

Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions

Insomnia, early-morning awakening or oversleeping

Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain

Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain

Many forms of psychotherapy, including some short-term (10- to 20-week) therapies, can help depressed individuals. Ask for help, now.

AUTISM

Autism is a brain disorder that affects a person's ability to merge the stimuli they intake and communicate effectively with others. It can lead to mental retardation, repetitive behaviors and language delays including total muteness -- yet in some cases, a person can be fully functioning. People with autism tend to appear indifferent and remote and are unable to form emotional bonds with others. Many are incapable of understanding other people's thoughts, feelings and needs. Often, language and intelligence fail to develop fully, making communication and social relationships difficult. Many people with autism engage in repetitive activities, like tapping a finger, or rigidly following familiar patterns in their everyday routines. Some are painfully sensitive to sound, touch, sight or smell.

Children with autism do not follow the typical patterns of child development. In some, signs of future problems may be apparent from birth. Other children may start off just fine, but between 18 and 36 months old, development stagnates. They begin to reject social contact, act strangely and can even lose language and social skills they had already acquired.

Autism is found in every country and region of the world, and in families of all racial, ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds. Emerging in childhood, it affects approximately one in every 1,000 and is four to five times more common in boys than in girls. Girls with the disorder, however, tend to have more severe symptoms and lower intelligence.

Symptoms

A child who receives effective therapy and education has every hope of using his or her unique capacity to learn. Ask for help, now.

CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse is widespread and can occur in any cultural, ethnic, and income group. Child abuse can be physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual. It can also result from neglect. Abuse can result in serious injury to the child and even possible death.

Studies show that one in four girls and one in eight boys are sexually abused before the age of 18, and that approximately one in 20 children are physically abused each year. Physical abuse involves harming a child by, for example, burning, beating, or breaking their bones. Sexual abuse occurs when there is inappropriate touching of a child's breasts or genitalia, or by someone exposing their genitalia to a child. Neglect can include physical neglect, such as withholding food, clothing, shelter, or other necessities. Emotional neglect includes withholding love or comfort or affection. Medical neglect occurs when medical care is withheld.

Symptoms

Whatever the nature of the abuse, steps should be taken immediately to report the abuse and obtain help. Delaying a report decreases the child's chances for full recovery. Ask for help, now.

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