ADHD (disorder with or without attention deficit) is, right now, one of the most common psychological problems in most school-age children. So much so, that drugs aimed at treating this supposed "disease" (not financed by Social Security) has risen significantly. Although in fact, and according to many professionals, there are many children who continue to obtain poor academic results because they have not yet been diagnosed with ADHD.
Now, all these data are seen by many as something to ponder. Perhaps an overdiagnosis is occurring? On the other side of the balance is, for example, the specialist in Clinical Psychology and professor of Psychopathology Marino Perez, who warns us of the long-term risk of medication and the need to reorient strategies to help these children with attention problems. In "Mothers Today" we talk about it.
The diagnosis in ADHD grows but also the controversy
It is curious how many moms and many dads do not intuit that their children have a problem until they reach school age, and they suddenly discover that their children do not fit into the ordinary educational system. They are unable to hold attention to learn to read, to sit still at the desk or to perform a task in a specified time.
It should be said, yes, that there are many differences from child to child, there are those who from a very young age always showed a somewhat reckless behavior: children who climb anywhere and who do not see the risk, who sleep little, who always want to do many things at once ... Each case is unique and exceptional, however, when giving a diagnosis, the labels are always universal. According to many specialists in neurology and early childhood education, what is occurring is a pathologization of normal problems of the childhood.
However, let's take a closer look at each approach to understand the situation a bit more.
Overdiagnosis or the peace of mind of knowing what happens to our children
Many mothers and fathers are calmer when a specialist finally tells them why their children have such a hard time learning to read and write: "ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder."
Later, the neurologist, after recommending a certain medication, usually tells them the reason why their children act in this way:
- ADHD is neurologically based on a small deficit in the regulatory circuits that communicate two brain areas: prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. These areas communicate through two essential neurotransmitters: dopamine and norepinephrine.
- Having a deficient release of these elements alters neurotransmission, affecting attention, alertness, working memory and executive control.
- Medication such as 'Concerta' or 'Rubifen' contain methylphenidate, an amphetamine derivative which increases the availability of dopamine to improve concentration and learning.
Having a child diagnosed and with the corresponding medication allows families and centers to better understand that child or that student. However, there is something we must be clear about In many cases, medication is dispensable as long as we approach things in a different way, in a more sensitive, close way, with adequate cognitive-behavioral techniques and a large dose of affection.
- Some think that this explosion in the diagnosis of children with ADHD is due to a need to harmonize interests: The families get a "somewhat reassuring" explanation, clinicians, teachers already know what to expect, and drug manufacturers more investment.
It is undoubtedly somewhat disturbing to think of it this way, however, what is always The scary thing is that an academic and school performance problem turns into something clinical, in something medical to treat through that daily pill that the child takes whole for breakfast or divided into two parts.
However, and everything must be said, despite its many side effects there are children who, together with medication and adequate family and school support, they have managed to stop the medication after three years to the point of becoming excellent students. As we have pointed out at the beginning, each case, each child, is unique and exceptional.
Diagnosis requires, above all, an interpretation task
Some say that in reality, ADHD does not exist, that there is no neurological origin and that far from having any alteration in the brain, what actually exists is a mind that seeks to interpret the world at another pace and in another way. Nothing more than that.
Well, we are not going to enter here to debate whether ADHD is real or not, because what is real is the anguish of the families, the financial, personal and emotional effort of those fathers and mothers accustomed to meeting with the psychopedagogical team of the center, with the teachers extracurricular, with the doctors, and with so many and so many conversations with those children from whom we demand so much, without them understanding very well why they are "so different."
It is something delicate that only the families themselves understand, hence, that More than internal debates between neurologists, psychologists, educators or large pharmaceutical industries, the only thing that moms and dads need is guidelines for the day to day.
How to help a child with ADHD
A diagnosis must always be followed by an adequate interpretation. Is it essential that my child take medication? Understand that medication is just a small "fertilizer" that can be dispensed with or supplemented temporarily as long as we offer the child adequate techniques for the day to day.
- Search second, third and fourth opinions, medication is not always a panacea. It helps but is not the ultimate solution to ADHD.
- Want it or not you are going to become an expert in cognitive-behavioral techniques to manage your time, your attention, the way you work, organize your activities.
- Without the support of the center we can do nothing. It is essential that the teaching and psychopedagogical team of the center get involved in the task of giving adequate strategies to the child with ADHD.
- We must work the emotional world of the child. He thinks that for a long time he has been labeled "a clumsy, clueless, and un-bright child."
- Understand that sometimes, in when you climb a step and have achieved something, a new problem appears. Patience and love should be your best weapons.
Activities such as swimming or yoga for children are very interesting to treat ADHD. Do not hesitate to be open to any proposal, to any approach that may be appropriate for your son or daughter in particular.
As curious as it may seem, after those first years of disappointments, tears and daily battles, result tomorrow really bright boys and girls. People who value the great effort that their fathers and mothers have made for them.