Mothers' experiences of parenting a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Title. Mothers’ experiences of parenting a child with attention deficit hyperactivitydisorder. Aim. This paper is a report of a study to explore the perceptions and experiences of mothers parenting a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Background. Previous quantitative studies have focussed on parenting styles and treatments, and highlight that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has a negative impact on family functioning. However, fewer researchers have explored maternal experiences of parenting a child with this disorder. A narrative‐based feminist approach can provide greater insights into complex issues related to mothering a child with this disorder. Method. Data were collected in 2007 with a volunteer sample of 11 mothers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder via in‐depth interviews. Analysis was completed by listening for self‐evaluative statements, paying attention to meta‐statements and by identifying both consistencies and incongruities within participant’s narratives. Findings. Dominant issues identified were: It’s been 10 years of being on edge: The caring responsibility as overwhelming; If I had my time over again, I wouldn’t tell the truth: Stigmatized, scrutinized and criticized; What have I done? What did I do? How come I’ve got this child: Guilt and self‐blame and He doesn’t stand a chance: Mother as advocate. Conclusion. Mothering a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is stressful and demanding, and mothers felt marginalized. Media portrayal of this disorder contributes to confusion related to causes, diagnosis and treatment choices. More education for healthcare professionals is needed to enable them to give appropriate guidance and support to enhance outcomes for children and their parents.     

Working with the family of a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurobehavioral problem in children that the medical practitioner is frequently asked to diagnose and treat. Equally as important as accurate diagnosis and treatment, however, is the ability to provide family members with clear and concise information that leads to an understanding of the disorder. This article presents a framework for answering family members' specific questions about ADHD and recommendations for ways to effectively share information with families regarding ADHD.     

Treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic childhood disorder characterized by inattention, distractibility, impulsivity, and restlessness. ADHD symptoms impair the child's ability to function at home, in school, and in the community. When ADHD is untreated, the child is at increased risk for school failure, substance abuse, and psychiatric disorders. New clinical practice guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics specify diagnosis and treatment for childhood ADHD, including psychosocial interventions, psychopharmacology, educational modifications, skill training, and social support.     

Teens' perceptions about attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and medications.

This qualitative study describes teens' perceptions about attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) and medications. The four modes of adaptation of the Roy Adaptation Model were the framework for this study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 15 high school teens aged 14-17 with parent-reported AD/HD. An inductive analysis identified four themes: (1) physiologic (medication)--"Medications are a hassle, but they work"; (2) role function--"I do better in school when I take the meds"; (3) interdependence-"With meds things are better with my family, and friends don't know I am any different"; and (4) self-concept/group identity--"I'm just an everyday teenager, pretty much." The composite main theme was, "Meds help me." School nurses can use this information to guide interventions for families and teens with AD/HD and in working with health care providers, teachers, staff, and communities in a multidisciplinary effort toward an adaptive educational experience for teens.     

哌甲酯对注意缺陷多动障碍儿童探究性眼动的影响

目的 探讨哌甲酯对注意缺陷多动障碍儿童探究性眼动的影响.方法 将50例注意缺陷多动障碍患儿设为研究组,抽取同期体检的38名健康少年儿童设为对照组.研究组于口服哌甲酯前后进行探究性眼动检测,对照组进行常规探究性眼动检测,对两组检测结果进行对比分析.结果 研究组口服哌甲酯2 h后凝视点数目、反应性探究分测定结果均高于治疗前(P＜0.05);服药前后凝视点数目、反应性探究分测定结果均低于对照组(P＜0.01).结论 哌甲酯能显著改善注意缺陷多动障碍患儿的视觉认知功能.     

Assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Increasing numbers of referrals of children with possible attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for psychiatric assessment are significantly adding to psychiatrists' workloads. In Forth Valley Primary Care NHS Trust the situation had reached a point where children with other mental health problems were having to wait longer for appointments. Two developments were implemented that aimed to ameliorate the problem by making better use of the skills of clinical nurse specialists and nurse therapists. Guidelines were drawn up for nurse assessment of children with suspected ADHD, and a dedicated active behaviour clinic was established to diagnose and review children with the condition. The developments have improved the services for children with ADHD and have given psychiatrists more time to spend with other client groups.     

脑电诊断及脑电生物反馈治疗对注意缺陷多动障碍患儿的作用

背景对注意缺陷多动障碍(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,ADHD)儿童进行脑电诊断和脑电生物反馈治疗逐渐受到关注.目的探讨脑功能诊断治疗仪对ADHD患儿诊断的精确性和治疗的疗效.设计以ADHD患儿为研究对象的前瞻性观察对比研究.单位一所市级医院的心理科.对象选择2003-10/2004-5到鞍山市中心医院心理科多动症门诊就诊的儿童,共113例.纳入标准年龄6～14岁到多动症门诊就诊的儿童.排除标准患神经系统器质性疾病、广泛性发育障碍、精神发育迟滞、癫痫、精神病性障碍、听觉异常和视觉异常等疾病者.其中男88例,女25例,平均年龄为(10±3)岁.方法应用A620全自动脑功能诊断治疗仪对113例儿童进行脑电检测,按照美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第4版(DSM-Ⅳ)中ADHD的诊断标准对前来就诊的儿童进行诊断,计算脑电诊断的灵敏度、特异度;应用该仪器对27例ADHD患儿进行脑电生物反馈治疗,治疗前后检测患儿脑电波θ/β比值的变化,采用Conners儿童行为问卷评价治疗前后多动指数的变化.主要观察指标脑电波θ/β比值,Conners多动指数.结果脑电诊断ADHD的灵敏度为83.58%,特异度为82.61%;脑电生物反馈治疗后患儿的θ/β值为(8.26±4.05),较治疗前(12.38±7.96)明显下降(t=2.39,P＜0.05);Conners多动指数治疗后为(12.05±8.63),较治疗前(24.73±10.96)显著下降(t=4.72,P＜0.01).结论脑电诊断的灵敏度和特异度均较高,可以辅助诊断ADHD;脑电生物反馈治疗能够明显改善ADHD患儿的脑电异常和多动症状.     

Homoeopathic treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A controlled study

43 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were alternately assignedto either placebo or homoeopathic treatment in a double blind, partial crossover study to determine the effectiveness of homoeopathy for this disorder. Medicines or placebos were given to parents or carers and were administered to children by the parent or carers. After 10 days children in the placebo group were given homoeopathic medicines. Statistical comparisons were made on the basis of parent or carer ratings of ADHD behaviour before and after treatment. Scores for subjects initially in the placebo group were compared with those initially in the homoeopathic group; and scores for subjects initially in the placebo group were compared with scores for the same subjects after they received homoeopathic medicine. Statistically significant differences were found for both comparisons, supporting the hypothesis that homoeopathic treatment is superior to placebo treatment for ADHD.     

The nursing student with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in college-age students presents a complex challenge of coping with academic coursework, refining life skills, and addressing self-limitations. Behaviors that characterize ADHD are particularly problematic for nursing students, especially when the student has difficulty with behaviors that exemplify executive functioning. The authors discuss symptoms and treatments associated with the diagnosis of ADHD and evaluation and interventions for college students, based on guidelines from the Americans With Disabilities Act. Nursing faculty can facilitate academic success by recognizing the problem in nursing students and implementing strategies useful for self-management of ADHD.     

注意缺陷多动障碍的家系研究

目的 探讨遗传因素在注意缺陷多动障碍(ADHD)发生中的地位和作用。方法 采用家系调查简表(儿童用和成人用)，分析54个ADHD患者家系各级亲属ADHD检出率及相关精神障碍的患病情况。结果 ADHD患者一级亲属的ADHD检出率(29．63％)明显高于二级(3．25％)、三级(4．42％)亲属检出率；男性亲属患病数明显多于女性亲属(x^2=9．709，P=0．002)；父亲患病数明显多于母亲(x^2=8．704，P=0．003)。各级亲属ADHD的检出率随着与先证者的亲属关系级数递增而剧减。结论 ADHD具有家族聚集性，一级亲属患病风险明显增高，并存在性别差异。遗传因素在决定疾病易患性变异上可能有重要作用。     

Subcategories of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

It is estimated that as many as 20% of school-aged children have an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Hyperactivity is recognized as a common symptom of a variety of childhood disorders. In many instances the symptoms of ADHD signal the onset of severe psychopathology and indicate comorbidity. Because a significant number of children exhibiting symptoms of ADHD are unresponsive to stimulants or have side effects, the use of such drugs is contraindicated. In this article we describe ADHD according to subcategories in an effort to distinguish diverse groups of children with ADHD and to identify those responding best to psychopharmacologic agents other than stimulants. Further understanding of the neurobiology of ADHD is needed to more clearly define and treat this condition.     

Exposure to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications during pregnancy

QUESTION: An 18-year-old patient of mine, currently under treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with methylphenidate, just found out that she is pregnant. What are the risks for the baby when the mother uses ADHD medications during pregnancy? ANSWER: Available evidence for amphetamines suggests no increased risk of malformations with use of therapeutic doses, and inadvertent exposure during pregnancy is unlikely to be harmful. Human data for methylphenidate and atomoxetine treatment in pregnancy are very limited. Documented cases do not suggest teratogenicity, but we cannot rule out this risk with the information available.     

Trauma and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

This study investigated the relationship between adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and trauma. Fifty-eight adults admitted to hospital with musculoskeletal trauma were evaluated using scales that determine the presence of ADHD in childhood and adulthood. Each patient was also interviewed by an adult psychiatrist and a child and adolescent psychiatrist. The control group consisted of 30 adult patients with complaints other than trauma who did not have a history of repetitive traumas. There were 36 (62.2%) cases of ADHD in the patient group compared with four (13.3%) in the control group; this difference was statistically significant. When the level of trauma was evaluated, ADHD was identified in 23 of the 26 (88.5%) patients with high energy traumas compared with 14 of the 32 (43.8%) patients with low energy traumas; this difference was also statistically significant. This study shows that patients with adult ADHD are more prone to injuries, particularly high energy traumas such as motor vehicle accidents. Patients who have repeated high energy traumas should be evaluated by a psychiatrist for ADHD.     

Self-perception in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

The purpose of this study was to compare self-perceptions of children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with those of children not diagnosed with ADHD. Seventy-seven children aged 8-12 years composed the two groups-38 participants with ADHD and 39 control participants without ADHD. The children completed the Self-Perception Profile for Children Questionnaire designed to measure self-perceptions in school-aged children. t Tests compared differences in mean scores between the groups. The ADHD group had a significantly lower overall score and a lower score on the behavioral conduct subscale compared with children without ADHD. Findings suggest a difference in the way school-aged children with ADHD perceive themselves as compared with their peers. The cumulative effect of years of low self-esteem and negative self-perception may have significant life consequences. Attention should be focused on fostering self-esteem and positive self-perception in children with ADHD through support groups and behavioral training.     

Oxidative stress in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate oxidative stress in ADHD children.Design and methodsLevels of oxidant parameters malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and antioxidant parameters paraoxonase (PON1) and thiol levels were measured in thirty children with ADHD (27 boys, 3 girls) who were firstly diagnosed according to DSM-IV and thirty healthy children (18 boys, 12 girls) aged 6–12 years.ResultsThe levels of the oxidant parameters MDA and 8-OHDG were statistically significantly lower in ADHD children compared to the controls. We did not find a significant difference between the groups regarding AOPP, PON1, and thiol levels.ConclusionWe found low levels of some oxidants and no difference of antioxidant parameters in ADHD children. Our study points out that there may not be a direct relationship between oxidative stress and ADHD.     

注意缺陷多动障碍和发声与多种运动联合抽动障碍儿童行为问题的关系

目的发声与多种运动联合抽动障碍(TS)和注意缺陷多动障碍(ADHD)之间行为问题进行比较,探讨两者之间的关系。方法对71例正常儿童、30例单纯TS、38例并发ADHD的TS(ADHD+TS)和32例单纯ADHD的父母采用CBCL量表进行行为评分、然后将4组儿童各因子分进行方差分析和两两比较。结果以上3组患儿均比正常儿童存在广泛的行为问题(P<0.01);两两比较发现:ADHD组社会功能评分最低(P<0.05),ADHD+TS组在攻击性问题、外向性问题和行为问题总分的评分最高(P<0.05);TS常常伴发强迫思维(P<0.01);ADHD特征性的伴发注意问题和冲动行为(P<0.01)。结论ADHD与TS存在广泛行为问题的重叠,ADHD+TS行为问题比单纯的ADHD和TS严重,TS的多数行为问题可能由于并发ADHD引起。