Health Report: Children behaving badly?
Children behaving badly?
We are now spending £31
million every year medicating thousands of children diagnosed with
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, but the causes of the
illness remain uncertain. Nivola Gill explores the facts that lurk
behind the headlines.
For Miranda Tucker's little boy Spencer, play dates were a rare
occurrence. "I knew from the start he was an energetic
personality," she says, "but then his frequent screaming
matches and violent tantrums left me exhausted and meant invites to
other toddlers' houses soon dried up."
When he started school Spencer's "whirlwind
behaviour", as Miranda and husband Tim dubbed it, became
worse. "His teachers told us he was bright but talked
constantly in class, larked around and got into endless playground
fights." As Spencer grew so did their concerns. Aged eight he
deliberately smashed a vase on the floor during a row over
completing homework. Forever losing his games kit, homework, bus
pass and even his shoes, his parents despaired at what seemed to be
a bright but troubled and volatile child.
Luckily, at ten and with secondary school looming, a new teacher at
his Leeds school thought that Spencer's behaviour could be
driven by more than naughtiness. She suggested Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Shocked, Miranda recalls, "To
be honest, I thought it was a fake illness that bad parents hid
behind to excuse their failings." But after visiting a GP and
then a paediatrician for diagnosis, Spencer was prescribed Ritalin
and is now a settled and much happier child. "I'm not
comfortable with Spencer taking drugs at his age but I can't
deny the enormous and positive difference this has made to all our
lives. I only wish we had found out sooner that neither we nor he
was 'bad' but were in fact struggling with ADHD. Our two
younger children haven't had any of the problems Spencer did,
and I'm positive his issues were not caused by our
parenting."
So what causes ADHD and ADD (the same disorder but without the
hyperactive element, often harder
to diagnose and far more
common in girls)? Nature, say some scientists who are investigating
a genetic cause of ADHD. Nurture, say other experts, who blame bad
parenting. Plain old-fashioned naughtiness, say parents who
can't believe that what used to be called bad behaviour is now
given a medical diagnosis.
Government figures released in May 2010 showed money spent on
prescriptions for ADHD has soared
to £31 million since
2006. The most recently available figures reveal that while 48,264
under-16s were taking medication for ADHD in 1997, it had risen to
454,797 by 2007. Without medication, the hidden costs to society,
plus the difficulties of under-achievement at school and the social
isolation of ADHD sufferers and their families is huge. A US 2009
study of more than 10,000 adolescents, published in the Journal of
Mental Health Policy and Economics, found young people with ADHD
were twice as likely to commit theft later in life and 50 per cent
more likely to sell drugs. "While research has shown links
between ADHD and short-term educational outcomes, it also suggests
significant longer-term consequences," says author Jason
Fletcher, assistant professor at the Yale School of Public Health.
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Comments:
"I think the reason that there has been an increase in the amount of under 16s taking medication is mainly because more and more parent are aware of the symtoms and are able to act on it. I had to fight for help with diagnosing my son as he was very violent from a young age to himself and others. From the age of 2 i was asking for help but i was told it was all normal behaviour. I knew something wasnt right. I have been told that my son who is now 13 has oppositional defiant disorder and is on the autistic spectrum. Because i fought for help for him we have come out the other side. I am lucky that he doesnt need medication but i think that if taking medication at a young age gives your family and most importantly your child a happier life then it is the best thing that you could do. "
Karen Stone - Saturday 19th Feb 2011