ADHD

Question 1

What does ADHD stand for?

Answer 1

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Question 2

What is another name for ADHD?

Answer 2

Hyperkinetic disorder

Question 3

What is ADHD?

Answer 3

A condition characterised by early onset persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity

Question 4

How must the traits of ADHD present to be due to ADHD?

Answer 4

• More frequent and severe than in individuals at a comparable stage of development
• Present in more than one situation

Question 5

What genes are thought to cause a genetic predisposition for developing ADHD?

Answer 5

DRD4 and DRD5

Question 6

Problems with genes for what proteins have been linked to ADHD?

Answer 6

Dopamine system proteins

Question 7

What does the link between genes for the dopamine system and ADHD suggest?

Answer 7

There may be potential problems with the dopamine pathway in ADHD

Question 8

What social aspects does ADHD often have an association with?

Answer 8

• Social deprivation
• Family conflict
• Parental cannabis and alcohol exposure

Question 9

What are the risk factors for ADHD?

Answer 9

• Male gender
• Family history
• Social deprivation
• Family conflict

Question 10

What are the three key traits of ADHD?

Answer 10

• Inattention
• Hyperactivity
• Impulsivity

Question 11

What are the aspects of inattention that present in ADHD?

Answer 11

• Not listening when spoken to
• Easily distracted
• Moves from one thing to the next rapidly
• Reluctant to engage in activities requiring persistent mental effort

Question 12

What are the aspects of hyperactivity that present in ADHD?

Answer 12

• Restlessness and fidgeting
• Recklessness
• Running and jumping around in inappropriate places

Question 13

What are the aspects of impulsivity that may present in ADHD?

Answer 13

• Interrupting others
• Temper tantrums
• Aggression
• Disobedience
• Running into the street without looking

Question 14

Who is it important to get a history from when assessing for ADHD?

Answer 14

• Parent
• Child
• Teacher

Question 15

Why is it important to also take a history from the child’s teacher?

Answer 15

Problem behaviors may vary in different setting

Question 16

What investigations may be conducted when assessing ADHD?

Answer 16

• Blood tests
• Hearing tests
• Rating scales

Question 17

What blood test is particularly important in ADHD?

Answer 17

TFT’s

Question 18

What are the possible differentials for ADHD?

Answer 18

• Learning disability/dyslexia
• Oppositional defiant disorder
• Conduct disorder
• Autism
• Sleep disorders
• Mood disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Hearing impairment

Question 19

Who can diagnose ADHD?

Answer 19

Specialists only

Question 20

What does the treatment of ADHD depend on?

Answer 20

Age of the patient

Question 21

What are the categories of ages ADHD is treated in?

Answer 21

• Pre-school
• School-age
• Adult

Question 22

What is the first step to managing ADHD in pre-school children?

Answer 22

Parent training and education programmes

Question 23

What does parent training help to achieve?

Answer 23

Reinforcing positive behaviour and finding alternative ways of managing disruptive behaviours

Question 24

Are drug treatments recommended in pre-school children?

Answer 24

No

Question 25

What should be provided to school-age children?

Answer 25

- Psycho-education - CBT - Social skills training

Question 26

Is medication given to school-age children?

Answer 26

Yes

Question 27

What is the first line medication for severe ADHD in school-age children?

Answer 27

Methylphenidate

Question 28

What is methylphenidate?

Answer 28

A CNS stimulant

Question 29

What are the possible side-effects of methylphenidate?

Answer 29

- Headache - Insomnia - Loss of appetite - Weight loss