Rekans, Saya baru dapat artikel ini, kalau tidak salah ada yang menanyakan bagaimana pengobatan anak hiperaktif, mungkin artikel ini bisa menjawab. Mamanya Dafi The ADHD Debate Attention deficit is common and treatable — and commonly undertreated. There's considerable debate over the diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), leaving many parents confused and wondering how to sort through all the conflicting information. While there are certainly cases in which ADHD is misdiagnosed and instances in which prescription drugs are overused, the fact is, says John Walkup, M.D., head of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, more children suffer from ADHD than are being treated for it. ADHD affects 3 percent to 6 percent of all children, an estimated 2 million in the United States. The disorder, generally characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior, is two to three times more prevalent in boys than in girls. For many children, ADHD can create serious problems in school, causing an inability to concentrate, trouble completing assignments, and a tendency to make careless errors, and can lead to erratic and disruptive behavior. The most commonly prescribed drug for the disorder is methylphenidate, better known by the brand name Ritalin. "Critics say that a diagnosis of ADHD is often used as an excuse by parents or teachers who lack the patience and willingness to deal with misbehaving children," says Dr. Walkup. "Ritalin, they say, is too often prescribed for children who don't need it, and can lead to substance abuse problems. I believe such criticism often comes from advocacy groups with specific agendas, and not from scientific studies." One recent study, he notes, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that hyperactive children treated with medication like Ritalin were actually much less likely than similar, untreated children to abuse alcohol and other drugs as they grew older. There's no question that ADHD is a serious public health concern. Just last year, a panel of leading doctors and researchers convened by the National Institutes of Health concluded that children with ADHD often receive an inconsistent level of diagnosis and care. And a recent review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) concluded that ADHD is not overdiagnosed, nor are the medications that are used to treat it overprescribed. "The JAMA report is on the mark," says Dr. Walkup. "In fact, the disorder is underdiagnosed and undertreated, often because of lack of access to health care and improper assessments. That's why parents and physicians alike must carefully monitor a child's development and behavior." Warning Signs Parents can watch for several signs to help determine whether their child suffers from ADHD. Children with ADHD usually first display symptoms between 4 and 6 years of age. They are typically excitable, easily distracted, and inattentive — much more so than other children. While some parents dismiss this behavior as a passing phase, the problems often persist and can be easily distinguished from normal levels of inattentive overactivity in this age group: ADHD is characterized by consistent, daily behavior — not occasional bouts. Physicians use specific criteria to determine whether a child has ADHD. Depending on the number and kind of symptoms , a child can be diagnosed with either ADHD inattentive type (six or more symptoms of inattention) or ADHD hyperactive-impulsivity (six or more symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity); a child who meets the criteria for both inattention and hyperactivity can be diagnosed with ADHD combined type. The symptoms must be inconsistent with the child's developmental level, persist for at least 6 months, and cause impairment in two or more settings, such as school and home. Treatment of ADHD usually involves drug therapy as well as behavior modification, cognitive-behavioral therapy, social skills training, parent training, family therapy, and remedial education. Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is the most commonly prescribed medication for children with ADHD. Other potentially useful stimulants include dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall). Those stimulants prompt an increase in the production of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, two of the brain's chemical messengers. That increases nervous system alertness, enhancing a child's attention while reducing excess restlessness. Many parents choose to use the drugs only as needed, such as during the school day, and do not use the medication on weekends or during the summer recess. Once a child starts using medication, parents should work with the doctor to determine the proper dosage and timing for the optimal control of ADHD symptoms. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send instant messages & get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com/ >> Pusing milih POP3 atau web mail? mail.telkom.net solusinya << Info balita, http://www.balita-anda.indoglobal.com ->Aneka kado pilihan untuk anak, http://www.indokado.com/kado.html Etika berinternet, kirim email ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Berhenti berlangganan, e-mail ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
