Word: adhd
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Dates: during 2000-2000
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Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as anybody who has been within shouting distance of a schoolyard in the past 10 years knows, was the pediatric diagnosis of the decade. According to one estimate, some 2 million American children are bouncing off the walls with it. For parents and teachers driven to distraction by a hyperactive kid, psychotropic stimulants like Ritalin have been a godsend; thousands of students who couldn't sit still long enough to learn have been able to calm down, pay attention and get the job done, thanks to Ritalin...
There is nothing clear about ADHD. The diagnosis is based on a checklist of subjective judgments--rating a child's inattention, distractibility, impulsivity and so on. It's hard enough for doctors to distinguish between an energetic teenager and one who has a behavior disorder. How can they make those judgments when the patient is still learning how to talk...
...ADHD is a tough disorder, not only for the child, but also for family and friends. The first step in treatment is to be as certain as possible of the diagnosis. Then, if you decide to use medications, proceed with caution until researchers figure out what effect these drugs might have on young, developing bodies and brains...
...more information about ADHD visit time.com/personal Questions for Dr. Ian? You can e-mail him at ianmedical@aol.comMARK