Information on Different Disorders | About ADD

Nowadays, attention deficit disorders (ADD) has become widely known and accepted in the medical field. The ADD Dubai Pediatrician tries to provide clear information and understanding about the different kinds of disorders in children. Also, suggested medication and treatment are presented based on several proven researches or data gathered. This will hopefully help parents on how to deal with their children’s condition.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a common mental disorder that is usually seen in children but also in adults. An estimated 10-20% of children in the world suffer from attention deficit disorder. Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD) entails a wide spectrum of clinical representations that include core symptoms of inattentiveness, restlessness, impulsiveness and disorganisation. More recently, emotional dysregulation has been added to the core symptoms.

Actually, Dr. Amen described six kinds of ADD that each have an own brain images based on the SPECT machine. ADD can impact educational achievement, social interaction, and overall behaviour. Sixty to seventy percent of children with ADD have co-morbid or associated psychiatric conditions like oppositional defiance disorder, anxiety and depression. ADD is thus a  complex disorder and should not be merely diagnosed using checklists.

ADD may begin insidiously and the subtle signs could be missed in early childhood. These children start showing symptoms during their high school or even college years. Others maybe hyperactive as children but this abates as the child grows. Nonetheless, inattention and impulsive behaviour may persist. Hence, it is important to seek the guidance of a specialist for correct diagnosis not only of ADD but also co-morbid conditions so as to provide proper care and treatment.

Higher rates of ADD students usually observe on highly mobile expatriate areas or societies such as Hong Kong, Brussels, and Dubai. Some other features that may confuse educators and parents are the aspect that Attention Deficiency Disorder is not actually an absolute deficit. This means that symptoms have an ability to change depending on the situation and interest in the subject.

Most children who have an ADD are more focused on the subject that they like or enjoy but somehow become restless and encounter difficulties on subject that they don’t like. Also, a child with an ADD may able to sit well work on a computer for several hours but can’t sit and read at all. Some children who have this disorder are not educationally impaired but may have problems with behaviour.

Indeed, early diagnosis and treatment provide improvement to this kind of mental disorder while untreated attention deficiency disorder may lead to several complications. Research has shown that children with ADD may fail academically or drop out due to lack of interest. They may develop behaviour problems like oppositional defiance disorder or conduct disorder.

Many suffer from emotional problems like low self esteem, anxiety or depression. Incidence of suicide is 10 percent higher in ADD students. Untreated ADD can thus have many complications.  To prevent these and to have a better future, early and appropriate care that includes psychotherapy, educational therapy and medication is essential. Singhania Children’s Clinic is just one of many medical institutes who cater and support ADD children.

Rajeshree Singhania