6 - ADHD Flashcards
What sort of questions do you want to know about someone presenting with ADHD symptoms?
- severity
- when they are happening
- personality of patient
- height and weight bc appetite may be affected
- sleep patterns
- symptom history
- eating patterns
- economics
- potential for drug abuse
- cardiac Hx
What 2 groups of symptoms are involved in diagnosing ADHD?
- Inattentive symptoms
- Hyperactive/Impulsive symptoms
Do kids have to have both inattentive and hyperactive symptoms to be diagnosed with ADHD ?
Nope
What is the criteria for inattentiveness symptoms for ADHD?
> 6 symptoms of inattention > 6 months
- does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
- trouble keeping attention
- doesn’t listen when spoken to directly
- often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork or chores
- trouble organizing
- often avoids things that take a lot of mental effort
- often loses things
- easily distracted
- forgetful
What is the criteria for hyperactivity/impulsiveness symptoms for ADHD?
> 6 symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity > 6 months to an extent that is disruptive:
Hyperactive:
- often fidgets
- often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected
- often excessively runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate
- often has trouble playing or doing leisure activities quietly
- is often on the go
- talks excessively
Impulsive:
- blurts out answers before questions have been finished
- trouble waiting for their own turn
- interrupts or intrudes others
Besides the symptoms of hyperactivity and inattentiveness what other criteria is required for ADHD diagnosis?
- Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before the age of 12
- Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (school/work and at home)
- There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school or work functioning
- The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a pervasive developmental disorder, schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, personality disorder)
Describe the diagnosis of ADHD in 1 sentence.
Symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity or all 3 must be present during childhood and cause functional impairment in 2 different settings for 6 months to meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
What types of ADHD are there?
- Predominantly Inattentive Type (ADD)
- Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
- Combined Type
Does a response to stimulants confirm the diagnosis of ADHD?
Nope - stimulants can positively impact children who do not have ADHD
There is a large degree of ________ associated with the disease
heritability
What comorbidities often cloud the diagnosis of ADHD?
- anxiety/mood disorders
- defiant disorders
- conduct disorders
- tic disorders
What are the 4 types of treatment arms in MTA study?
- Med management alone
- Behavior treatment alone
- Combined meds & behaviour Tx
- Routine community care
What were the results of the MTA study?
Medication management alone OR combined meds and behaviour treatment are NEARLY EQUALLY EFFECTIVE & SUPERIOR TO behaviour treatment alone or community based treatment
So based on the results of MTA study, should we just give medication?
*the data tells you to just use medication but the behavioural therapy has other benefits - it teaches parents and kids coping strategies
What is our primary goal in treating ADHD?
making them function well in school and work, want to see increased academic performance and job rates, etc.
What are some medical considerations that influence medication choice?
- Treatment guidelines
- Urgency of treatment
- Duration of effect
- Patient preference
- Co-morbid symptoms
- Previous treatment success
- History of drug abuse (individual or family)
What are some practical considerations that influence medication choice?
- Adherence
- Stigma
- Cost/insurance
- Administration (by parent or teacher)
What are the 2 branches of medications for treatment of ADHD?
- stimulants (most common)
- non-stimulants
Stimulants:
Describe methylphenidate short acting (immediate release)
- short duration of action
- BID or TID dosing
- symptoms may return between doses
- lunch time dose (involves school)
- stigma
- questions/compliance