Evaluation Even more children with an ADHD diagnosis

More and more children with ADHD diagnosis
More and more children are diagnosed with "ADHD". This shows a recent study of the Scientific Institute of the health insurance AOK. The causes and background of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are still not fully understood. Also, the diagnosis is discussed controversially in professional circles.

Most children get the diagnosis
Although adults also have ADHD, the diagnosis is especially true for the youngest. Experts have even warned against a "generation of ADHD" in the past. New figures now show that the number of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder has slightly increased again.

The number of children with ADHD has increased again in recent years. The little ones find it hard to concentrate and keep their impulses under control. For homework and games they often lack the patience. (Image: S.Kobold / fotolia.com)

Three core symptoms
"ADHD is characterized by three core symptoms - impairment of attention (attention deficit disorder), impulse control (impulsivity) and activity (hyperactivity)", explains the Association of Pediatricians (BVKJ) on its website "kinderaerzte-im-netz .com ". But the experts also know that the symptoms can be very different. Some children can not concentrate on one task any longer, some are troubled and some are more dreamy-absent.

Most common mental diagnosis in childhood
As the news agency dpa reports, the proportion of children with ADHD continues to increase slightly. According to an evaluation by the AOK's Scientific Institute, 4.4% of the children insured with the AOK insurance fund between the ages of three and 17 years were diagnosed with ADHD, compared with 2.5% in 2006. According to reports, boys were diagnosed with significantly more ADHD at 6.4 percent in 2014 than in girls at 2.2 percent.

ADHD, often referred to as "Zappelphilipp syndrome", is thus the most common psychiatric diagnosis in childhood. It is also said that the rising incidence of ADHD diagnoses may also indicate that more attention is paid to the disease by doctors, families and their communities today.

Causes of ADHD not clarified conclusively
The exact causes of ADHD are not fully understood yet. According to health experts, genetic factors as well as environmental factors such as mothers who consume nicotine, alcohol and medication may play a role. Recently, a study published in the journal "International Journal of Epidemiology" showed that taking paracetamol during pregnancy increases the risk of ADHD and autism.

Affected children are easily distracted
According to experts, children with attention deficits often suffer from increased distractibility, lack of concentration, job discontinuation and avoidance of effort. It is difficult for them to fulfill given tasks or to comply with rules. For games, handicrafts and similar activities they often lack the patience. Children with ADHD often behave impulsively. This behavior is often equated with aggressiveness. Classification in a community is difficult for them.

Signs at a very young age
Signs of ADHD are usually observed in infancy, at the age of five to six years, they are clearly visible. If these symptoms affect the long-term coexistence with others, it should be clarified whether ADHD could be the cause. However, it has often been criticized in the past that the diagnosis of ADHD is too often and often misplaced. Doctors have become more cautious in this regard.

Do not start using medicines right now
Health experts recommend ADHD for therapeutic measures such as behavioral therapy. A treatment with medicines would be in question only if non-drug measures are not sufficient. But research has shown that more and more adults are taking medication for ADHD. According to experts, the problem is above all an active substance. Thus, scientists have publicly raised doubts about the effect of Ritalin. Medicines containing the active ingredient methylphenidate, such as the well-known Ritalin, have been standard treatments for ADHD for many years.

Help offer for parents
Parents of affected children should pay attention to clearly structured processes in everyday family life, behave themselves consistently and strengthen the self-confidence of their child. Studies have shown that it can be helpful to limit the TV and computer times of children and to encourage the offspring to engage in outdoor activities or sports. Therapeutic painting can also have a positive effect.

In addition, parenting sessions can defuse the family situation. At the beginning of the new school year, the AOK Federal Association offers all those interested an "ADHD parent trainer" on the Internet. This support offer for "difficult everyday situations" is based on the Manfred Döpfner and Dr. med. Stephanie Schürmann developed and established "Therapy program for children with hyperkinetic and oppositional problem behavior - THOP" as well as on the self-help book "Wackelpeter und Trotzkopf". (Ad)