Genetic Influence High in 80% of ADHD Cases: Question of Long-term Management
In a nutshell, almost 16% of school-aged kiddos and 4% of grown-ups globally deal with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD. But in South Africa's public health sector, the number of primary school children diagnosed with ADHD is staggeringly low—only 1.72%.
Now, listen up, 'cause I'm about to spill the beans on an eye-opening chat with psychiatrist Renata Schoeman, who's a heavyweight in the field of ADHD research and treatment. She's co-authored South Africa's ADHD management guidelines and leads the special interest ADHD group of the South African Society of Psychiatrists. According to Schoeman, more than 10,000 studies show that the brains of people with ADHD have a different appearance on scans compared to those without the condition.
You might be wondering, "Can you outgrow ADHD?" She shed some light on it, so let's break it down:- Persistence into Adulthood: ADHD is not usually a disorder that people outgrow. Approximately 90% of children diagnosed with ADHD continue to have it as adults, even if their symptoms evolve.- Evolution of Symptoms: As individuals transition from childhood to adulthood, ADHD symptoms often change. For example, children may exhibit hyperactivity and impulsivity, while adults may struggle with restlessness, procrastination, and poor time management.- Coexisting Conditions: ADHD often comes hand-in-hand with conditions like anxiety disorders, which complicated things further.
If you're wondering about treatment, it's essential to combine medication with structured educational strategies, environmental accommodations, and training in self-regulation and metacognitive skills for the best results, especially in academic settings.
The key takeaway for healthcare providers in South Africa is to focus on early intervention, employ comprehensive treatment plans, and acknowledge any coexisting conditions. Even though specific South African ADHD management guidelines might not be available, international insights shed valuable light on combating and managing ADHD effectively.
- Renata Schoeman, a renowned psychiatrist in ADHD research and treatment, states that over 10,000 studies reveal noticeable differences in brain scans between individuals with ADHD and those without the condition.
- Schoeman clarifies that approximately 90% of children diagnosed with ADHD continue to have it as adults, even if their symptoms may evolve.
- She additionally explains that as individuals transition from childhood to adulthood, ADHD symptoms often shift from hyperactivity and impulsivity to restlessness, procrastination, and poor time management.
- Schoeman emphasizes that ADHD often coexists with conditions like anxiety disorders, which can complicate matters further.
- To achieve optimal results, especially in academic settings, Schoeman advises healthcare providers to combine medication with structured educational strategies, environmental accommodations, and training in self-regulation and metacognitive skills.
