Neurologists Discuss Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) At Medical Town Meeting

DANBURY — A panel of Danbury Hospital neurologists discussed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at a recent Medical Town Meeting. “Understanding ADHD,” sponsored by Danbury Hospital.

While the disorder has gotten a lot of attention lately, it was actually first diagnosed in the early 1900s, according to Anna Alshansky, MD, Department of Medicine, Section of Neurology. “These children were initially described as boisterous,” she said.

Today doctors know that ADHD children are not just boisterous, but their inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are out of their control, and the disorder evolves from a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Dr Alshansky spoke along with Martin Kremenitzer, MD, and James Pier, PhD, a neuropsychologist. All are in practice with Associated Neurologists in Danbury. Each talked about the different aspects of the disorder, including medication, treatment, and ways to cope and manage.

Diagnosis is important, said the panel, because ADHD is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. ADHD is a pervasive disorder, affecting an estimated five to ten percent of children around the world. This translates to two to three children per classroom, according to Dr Alshansky. ADHD also affects adults. It is estimated that 30 percent of children with ADHD will have the disorder as an adult.

While the cause for the disorder is not known, doctors attribute it to many biological and genetic factors. Making a diagnosis is often time-consuming and difficult, say the doctors, because there is not a single blood test, X-ray or MRI of the brain to confirm the disorder, like there are in other diseases.

A diagnosis is made if children have inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, and not all three have to be present. “Only when symptoms are consistent can a diagnosis be made,” said Dr Alshansky. “Symptoms must also interfere with normal functioning.” ADHD is often diagnosed when a child is 8 to 10 years old, as children often will have trouble functioning in school, at home, and with friends.

While there is no current cure for ADHD, it can be treated with medications. “We all would like to not treat beautiful children with medications,” said Dr Kremenitzer, but the bottom line is that they help. “The basis of medication use is that the brain is understimulated,” he added. The medications, he stressed, are neither addictive nor narcotic, but help provide the chemicals that the brain needs to be in better balance.

If left untreated, ADHD can lead to depression, anxiety disorders, conduct and defiance disorders, and other things, according to Dr Kremenitzer.

Dr Pier emphasized that treatment should also include cognitive and psychological understanding, as ADHD is a neuro-developmental disorder.

He stressed that children should learn ways to better organize and plan. “Kids with ADHD work harder, longer, and differently,” he said.

Use of tutoring, counseling, and behavior modification are not as effective in children who are not on medication, according to doctors. When medications are added, they do better.

Since ADHD sufferers can also have problems with self-esteem and confidence, efforts should be made to help children adjust.

For more information regarding ADHD, visit the Danbury Hospital website at www.danburyhospital.org, or ask your doctor. For a physician referral, call the Danbury Hospital physician referral service at 797-7322.