Dr John Anthony Hanne Gypsy? But you told me to behave You didnt - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Dr John Anthony Hanne

Gypsy?

“But you told me to behave… You didn’t say how !”

Who did Dennis get it from? What happens to Dennis as he enters adulthood?

Did you know?  Approx. 2/3 of ADHD kids still need help in adulthood

Risks of ADHD in Adulthood  22 x more likely to be incarcerated  4 x more likely to be involved in motor vehicle accident  2 x more likely to be addicted to alcohol/other substances

Risks of ADHD in Adulthood  2 x more likely to be involved in relationship breakdown, job instability (e.g. dismissed, disciplined, quit)  Less likely to finish university  Elevated risk of suicide, self harm

Abundant Neurological Evidence  PET  MRI  fMRI  Genetic studies

Common Co-morbidities  Depression  Anxiety  OCD  Eating Disorders  Specific Learning Disorders  Substance Abuse

Common Co-morbidities  Frustration  Sense of Failure  Depression

Learning Disorders  ADHD – Dyslexia, Dyscalculia  Dysgraphia

When ADHD is treated:  Improvements in Depression  Improvements in OCD

Ask yourself...  Is ADHD primarily a GP condition?  What role should specialists play?

Fidgety Phil Who Couldn’t Sit Still  Dr Heinrich Hoffmann publishes a fictional tale based on his work with hyperactive children, published 1845

Prevalence  Approx. 5% of population regardless of culture, ethnicity  In NZ less than 20% of ADHD is being managed  Compare that with Diabetes

Making the Diagnosis  Questionnaires  Ratings scales  School reports  Family/loved ones/close friends  Let them tell their story!  Allow enough time

ADHD - A Spectrum Condition  Ranging from the hyperactive/impulsive extreme to the quiet dreamer  Inattention/distractibility is key

Modifying Factors  Personality type  Intelligence  Home Life  Significant Life Choices (e.g. choice of study, career, partner)

Gender Ratio  Equal ratio in adulthood  …But diagnosed 5:1 male/female in childhood

Ready! Fire! Aim…?

Useful Tests  TOVA (Test of Variable Attention)  Short term memory exercises  Raven IQ Test

Managing ADHD Lifestyle 1. Diet/Exercise 2. Education 3. Support 4. Medication? 5.

Medication  Ritalin or dexamphetamine?  Ritalin dose varies  Adderall not licensed  Strattera?

Job done?  Regular follow up  Coaching – best results take 1-2 years

The Results Are Incredibly Rewarding  “It was like a fog suddenly lifted”  “These days I actually remember where I’m supposed to be”  “No matter how hard I tried I was always late coz I would forget where I put my keys, my wallet, my phone…or I’d get busy with stuff that was more interesting and then just completely tune out.”  “Someone would be talking about something real important like how their father had died and all I would hear was ‘blah, blah, blah’. Then I’d cut in and just completely change the subject. Then I’d feel awful about it, but what can you do? You know?”  “My life was like a car out of control. There were yellow and red traffic lights warning me to stop before I acted, but I could never put the brakes on. I just sped on through. My brain just acted like there were green lights all the time!”

The Bogey-Man of Substance Abuse

 For more information on ADHD contact: jahanne@clear.net.nz