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Hyperactive and Aggressive Girls Have Long Term Risks
A new study was just published which documents that girls who have hyperactivity and aggression in childhood are much more likely to have significant problems in adult life. These problems include: getting into abusive relationships, teenage pregnancies, lack of job prospects and underperforming at school.
This is a particularly powerful study - as it was ‘longitudinal’. This means that the researchers started to observe these girls when they were 6 years old, and then followed up with them until they were 21 years old. This gives great, long term data.
The researchers conclude that girls with hyperactivity and physical aggression (fighting, bullying, kicking, biting or hitting) should be targeted by more intensive treatment programs in childhood - in an attempt to prevent the longer term risks.
To read more, visit here.
Technorati Tags: Girls, ADD, ADHD, Parenting
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Written by Dr. Kenny Handelman - The ADHD
Doctor
To find get a FREE special report on ADD/ADHD Medication,
visit: Medication Mastery
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March 26th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Hello,
I am wondering if you can answer a question for me. If a child who does not have AD/HD takes a stimulant medication will it make them calm/focused and attentive? I have often heard parents express concern that children (whether or not these children have AD/HD or not) are being over medicated with stimulant medication. These parents believe that teachers “label” certain hyper and/or inattentive kids as AD/HD. The teachers then tell the parents their concerns and their belief that they have a kid with ADHD. The parent goes to the pediatrician who quickly writes a perscription for a stimulant medication. The kid takes the medication and voila! perfect, attentive, calm child. Is this true? Can a child who does not have ADHD get the same calming effect from a stimulate as a ADHD child?
My son has ADHD. The stimulant medication helps him focus and be calm. But it seems that this medication should not work on a child who does not have ADHD because it is a stimulant. Which makes me wonder where these parents get their information? Are their concerns legitimate?
At my son’s public school, teachers are forbidden to even suggest to a parent that their child might have AD/HD because there is such a stigma attached to this disorder and the fear that kids are being given drugs to just calm them down in the classrooms. I think this is very sad as I think that a lot of kids might be falling through the cracks because teachers are afraid or are forbidden to even talk of AD/HD to a parent.
Anyway, can you please tell me if these parents who say this information are correct? Can a child without AD/HD get the same benefits of stimulate medication as a child who has Ad/HD?
Thanks!
Kim
Long Beach, CA
March 27th, 2008 at 12:17 am
Hi Kim,
Medications for ADHD (particularly stimulants) will have some effect on people without ADHD, but not nearly to the same extent of those who do have ADHD.
There are many critics out there who have an opinion - but ultimately - the best we can do is promote good information, and lead by example.
Dr. Kenny
April 5th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
DEAR DR. KENNY,
I WAS SORRY TO SEE THAT PEOPLE DID NOT RESPOND TO THIS BLOG. I WAS AN UNDIAGNOSED HYPERACTIVE/ AGRESSIVE GIRL. I WAS NOT DIAGNOSED UNTIL AFTER MY SON WAS. AND I HAD TO FIGHT TO BE DIAGNOSED ** ACCURATELY** AFTER 2O YEARS OF MISDIAGNOSISES(?). THE LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH (MD REFERED ME) DID AN I.Q. TEST AND A PERSONALITY TEST TO DETERMINE THAT I WASN’T ADHD. (AND THIS WAS IN 1994/95) I HAD TO BRING STACKS OF RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION TO BACK UP & VERIFY “MY” DIAGNOSIS. THEY LATER SAID IT WAS I HAD “PREDOMINATELY MALE SYMPTOMS” I AM STILL FIGHTING FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF IED.(MY DOCTOR WOULD RATHER LABEL IT “IMPULSE CONTROL DISORDER” MY SONS DOCTOR WOULD RATHER LABEL IT ODD” NEITHER OF WHICH FIT.(ALTHOUGH BOTH DOCTORS DID AGREE TO TREAT US WITH THE RECOMMENDED MEDICATION FOR IED.) THE IED SYMPTOMS I (AND MY SON) FIT TO A TEE. AND THANKS TO DR. RATEY (DTD) AND HIS SUGGESTION OF DESIPRAMINE (10 -25 MG ONLY) FOR ADHD WITH “AGRESSION”.(ALTHOUGH LATER HE GOES ON TO SAY IT IS IED.) BEING TREATED ACCURATELY HAS NOT ONLY CHANGED MY LIFE, IT IS NOT AN EXAGERATION TO SAY IT SAVED MY LIFE, AND ALLOWED MY SON TO HAVE A LIFE WORTH LIVING. IT HAS BEEN 11 GLORIOUS, WONDERFUL YEARS AND I HAVE A LIFE I DIDN’T DARE ALLOW MYSELF TO DREAM ABOUT AS A CHILD. IT IS FULL OF LOVE, JOY, HAPPINESS AND LAUGHTER. THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF MY FIRST 21 YEARS. OVER THE PAST 11 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO WORK VERY HARD BUT I NOW HAVE SELF WORTH & SELF ESTEEM. AND MY SON HAS NEVER HAD TO KNOW THE FULL EXTENT OF SELF LOATHING, SELF HATRED AND DESTRUCTIONTHAT THESE 2 DIAGNOSES CAN DO TO A HUMAN BEING. HE’S ONLY HAD TO KNOW A FRACTION. I KNOW THIS IS PROBABLY VERY LONG AND FULL OF MISS SPELLINGS BUT I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THERE IS HOPE. AND AS LONG AS I TAKE MY MEDS I NEVER HAVE TO TURN BACK INTO THE REAL LIFE VERSION OF THE HULK (MINUS THE GREEN) AND SINCE YOU “RUN IN THOSE CIRCLES” PLEASE PASS ALONG A MESSAGE TO DR. HALLOWELL & HIS DTD PARTNER DR. RATEY “IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR D.T.D. AND THAT SMALL LITTLE CHAPTER ON COMORBID DISORDERS AND RECOMMENDED MEDS. IT IS NOT A STRETCH TO SAY I WOULD NOT BE ALIVE TODAY, AND MY SON WOULD HAVE BEEN DESTINED TO A LIVING HELL, OR WORSE. THANK YOU FOR A LIFE WORTH LIVING!!” OR MAYBE AN EMAIL ADDRESS FOR DR. RATEY. THANK YOU DR. KENNY FOR BRINGING UP THIS SUBJECT. I DO HOPE MORE READ IT.
POSEY G.
April 5th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Posey,
Thank you for sharing your story -and I’m so glad that that one chapter in Driven to Distraction helped you so much!
I will be sure to tell Dr. Hallowell. I know it means so much to him when people’s lives are improved by his books, speaking and websites.
Dr. Kenny
p.s. I hope others read your story and are inspired!