By Guest Writer: Rosemary Burns
October is ADHD National Awareness Month.
Space Cadet. Air head. Day dreamer. Energizer Bunny. Oblivious.
If you have ever used these adjectives to describe your child or have had your child described to you by someone else by using them, you have probably had the thought that your kid may have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or (ADHD.) In simple terms, ADHD is chemical imbalance in the brain. It contributes to hyperactivity and impulse control issues in both children and adults.
For a diagnosis of ADHD to be made symptoms must be present in at least two life settings. For example: Work or school, home life and social situations. The symptoms must cause significant impairment. The diagnosis is usually made by someone in the Mental Health field, although it is many times first noticed by teachers and parents. There is no cure for ADHD but there are medicines to help ease the symptoms so that the person can focus better and “Fit in” socially.
At home, does your child have difficulty finishing homework or chores? Does he lose things often? Does he have trouble playing quietly? At school does your child have trouble getting organized? Have trouble sitting still? Make careless mistakes? In social situations does your child talk excessively? Interrupt others frequently? Have a hard time waiting his turn?
These symptoms are tough to live with for both the child affected and the family that loves them. However, when the symptoms are properly diagnosed and behaviors are managed, a person can continue and lead happy, successful lives.
Easier said than done, I know.
When my oldest son, now twenty-seven, was diagnosed as being ADHD, he was in the third grade. I was blind-sided when his teacher called me in for a conference to tell me of her concerns. Yes, Mikey was very active, had a hard time sitting still, didn’t like to be alone, was always ‘bugging’ his little sister and cousins by poking or touching them, didn’t seem to understand personal space concept, never wanted to go to bed, interrupt a lot, was disorganized etc. But, he was my first child and male, so I just thought he was ‘being a boy!’ He was a challenge at times, I used to compare him to a wild pony that needed to be broken in, in order for him to follow society’s rules, unfair as that seemed. His teacher calmly explained that Mikey was basically a “hot mess!” My words not hers 
Whenever it was time to quickly grab a spelling book, say out from his desk, the other students would have it instantly. Mikey would end up pulling out every book, piece of paper, pencil, crayon, eraser etc. and spread them all over the floor surrounding his desk. He either could not find his spelling book or got distracted on the way to finding his spelling book! He had a hard time remembering to raise his hand, blurting out the answer instead. He could not keep his hands to himself so he ended up sitting alone by the teacher often. He was frequently tardy to school because he could not stay on task. (I learned to hate hearing that phrase from teachers…)
She told me of drugs like Ritalin that were doing amazing things with kids like Mikey. She was talking about wanting me to give my kid Psychotropic drugs! I remember sitting there in that classroom in a too small for me chair, feeling so overwhelmed with what was being said to me about my little boy…
What followed were visits to pediatricians, psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, testing after testing done by various “experts”, the maze of getting an IEP from the county school system, and fighting for every resource available for my son’s health and education. Mikey was started on a low dose of Ritalin. This, when Ritalin was being debated big time in the media, did not help with my very tough decision to start Mikey on these strong mind altering drugs. To be honest, Mikey has been on so many varied prescriptions now, that I cannot remember exactly why we switched off the Ritalin. I think Adderalll was the next med we tried because each one seemed to have a different debilitating side effect so we kept on and on until we could find one that he could tolerate.
Since ADHD is a chemical imbalance in the brain, the trick is to get the low level of dopamine equal to that of someone who does NOT have ADHD. Other meds are Lexapro, which is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, (SSRI) Quiets anxiety and helps with depression. Adderall, (Amphetamine and Dextroamphetimine) is a central nervous system stimulant that affects chemicals in brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control. It is overwhelming for sure when dealing with all these scary and confusing meds. But here is what I know: After getting a diagnosis of ADHD meds should only be a part of the treatment plan. Educational and social aspects need attention too. I vividly remembering crying the several times my son did not receive an invitation to birthday parties because I just knew he was considered too hyperactive.
On the other side of the coin of ADHD is the creative genius that seems to often go hand in hand with a mental health issue. Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin and Wolfgang Mozart all were thought to have exhibited ADHD symptoms. More current celebrities have come forward to own their ADHD and encourage others that the symptoms can be managed and put to good use. And Ty Pennington, (duh), host of Extreme Makeover Home Edition, has said that as a child he had trouble with hyperactivity that affected his school performance all the way through High School. He was finally diagnosed with ADHD during college and said that starting meds changed his life. Jim Carrey as a kid would finish his assignments quickly then disrupt the rest of the class. He has undergone treatment since childhood. As an adult he has used his ADHD symptoms to his advantage through his creativity and high energy level as a comedian.
Justin Timberlake says he has adult ADHD mixed with OCD symptoms and that having the two disorders together has presented a challenge but has not stopped his success. People with ADHD may also have other mental health disorders such as OCD, anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Gold Medal Olympian swimmer, Michael Phelps, was diagnosed and began taking meds when he was nine-years-old. He channels his hyperactivity into swimming. Has told Sports Illustrated Magazine that he is “a different person” in the pool.
A set routine to follow and being rewarded for good behavior are strategies that have been shown to help kids with ADHD. Sports are a great outlet for this reason.
It boils down to this, I think. If you suspect that your very bright child is not testing well in school, is not being invited for play dates, does not seem to understand that there are consequences for impulsive decisions, or is being labeled a trouble maker, talk to your pediatrician or school counselor they can help you on your next step to guiding your precious child to a happy and healthy life.
Rosemary Burns is a freelance writer and substitute teacher residing in Henrico County. She is a wife and mother to four children ranging in age from eight to twenty-seven-years old
