pdf_20220726_113454_0000.pdf

Oneirism
Solution to Maladaptive
Daydreaming & ADHD
By Precious Foster

CONTENTS
i symptoms of maladaptive daydreaming
ii maladaptive daydreaming test
iii diagnosing maladaptive daydreaming
iv effect of maladaptive daydreaming to the body
v maladaptive daydreaming in ADHD
vi maladaptive daydreaming treatment
vii why maladaptive daydreaming happen
I symptoms of ADHD
ii causes of ADHD
iii Diagnosis of ADHD
iv treatment of ADHD
v living with ADHD
1 Maladaptive Daydreaming
2 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

A person with maladaptive daydreaming will spend long periods
engaging in structured daydreams or fantasies , sometimes for hours
at a time. “Maladaptive” means this type of daydreaming is an
unhealthy or negative attempt to cope with or adapt to a problem.
People who do this tend to “lose themselves” in extremely vivid and
detailed daydreams. Research also shows this kind of daydreaming
might be compulsive. That means it’s difficult — if not impossible —
to control that you’re doing it. This issue also overlaps with several
other mental health and neurological conditions. However, there’s
evidence that maladaptive daydreaming is different from these other
conditions and should be declared a separate disorder.
It can affect your ability to focus on your studies or be productive at
work. Professor Eliezer Somer of the University of Haifa in Israel first
described the condition in 2002.Maladaptive daydreaming shares
featuresTrusted Source with behavioral addictions, such as addiction
to internet gaming or alcohol. This daydreaming can be so intense
that it distracts you from real life.
Often, events can trigger daydreams. These events can include:
*topics of conversation
*a picture, movie, or news story
*internet use
*sensory stimuli, such as noises or smells
*Physical experiences
Maladaptive daydreaming does not currently have a separate
diagnosis. It does not have a category in the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), and there is no specific
treatment.
However, it can affect your daily life, and some expertsTrusted Source
are calling for it to be a specific diagnosis.
Maladaptive daydreaming is most common in people with conditions
that affect their mental health or certain types of brain functions. The
conditions that are common with maladaptive daydreaming are:
1 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
2 anxiety disorders.
Maladaptive Daydreaming

3 Certain types of depression.
4 Dissociative disorders.
5 Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Age can also be a factor in maladaptive daydreaming. Some
research suggests it’s more common in younger people, especially
young adults and teenagers, and that it can also happen to children.
However, more research is necessary to determine how common it
is in people depending on their age.
Many people who experience maladaptive daydreaming have a
history of abuse or trauma, especially during childhood. However,
this isn’t something that all people with maladaptive daydreaming
have.There’s limited research available on how commonly
maladaptive daydreaming happens. That’s partly because this isn’t
an officially recognized condition yet. However, one early study put
the number at 2.5% of adults in Israel, and slightly higher — about
4.3% — for younger adults who are students.
Another study estimated that maladaptive daydreaming affects
about 20% of adults with ADHD. That would mean it affects at least
2.2 million adults in the United States, and that number doesn’t
account for people who have it but don’t have ADHD.
A person with maladaptive daydreaming may experience one or
more of the following:
-Extremely vivid daydreams with their own characters, settings,
plots, and other detailed, story-like features, reflecting a complex
inner world.
-Daydreams triggered by real-life events.
-Difficulty completing everyday tasks.
-Difficulty sleeping at night.
-An overwhelming desire to continue daydreaming.
- Performing repetitive movements while daydreaming.
Symptoms of maladaptive daydreaming

-Making facial expressions while daydreaming.
-Whispering and talking while daydreaming.
-Daydreaming for lengthy periods (up to several hoursTrusted
Source).
-Significant distress about daydreaming.
-Awareness that the internal fantasy world is different from
external reality.
-You may also have a diagnosis of another disorder, such as
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Maladaptive daydreaming is different from regular daydreaming
in terms of content, controllability, frequency, and your
experience, including the distress it causes and its impact on daily
life.
It’s also different from general mind wandering, as it involves
“structured, intentionally generated fantasy narratives,” according
to expertsTrusted Source writing in 2019. In contrast, mind
wandering tends to occur spontaneously and relate to everyday
life.
Professor Somer created a 16-item test or scale for doctors to
use when assessing whether a person is engaging in maladaptive
daydreaming.
It contains 16 questions and asks about:
daydreaming triggers
physical signs that accompany daydreaming
how daydreaming feels to the individual
the effect of interruptions on daydreaming
the impact of not being able to daydream
how daydreaming affects daily life
whether the person listens to music while daydreaming
Maladaptive daydreaming test

There is no universal method used to diagnose maladaptive
daydreaming, and it does not currently have its own
diagnosis. However, some tools can help doctors assess
whether you’re experiencing this condition.
The 16-item maladaptive daydreaming test can help show if
you’re experiencing maladaptive daydreaming. This is a self-
reporting tool, in which you assess your own experiences.
Another tool developed by Professor Somer is the
Structured Clinical Interview for Maladaptive Daydreaming
(SCIMD). The SCIMD enables doctors to elicit answers that
will help assess whether you’re experiencing maladaptive
daydreaming.
A doctor may use other tools to evaluate whether you have
symptoms of:
Dissociation
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
ADHD
another condition that can resemble or overlap with
maladaptive daydreaming.
Can maladaptive daydreaming cause other conditions to
develop?
There is no evidence that maladaptive dreaming can lead to
another condition, but it can impact your overall quality of
life.
It can affect your:
- Ability to focus
Diagnosing maladaptive daydreaming

-Ability to be productive in work and studies
attention to real-life relationships.
-Mental well-being, due to anxiety about managing the
daydreams.
Other conditions that people have reported alongside
maladaptive daydreaming include:
depression
anxiety disorders
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
OCD
ADHD
bipolar disorder
borderline personality disorder
dissociative disorder
psychosis
However, it’s not yet clear how these disorders relate to
maladaptive daydreaming.
In one study, around 25 percent of people with maladaptive
daydreaming had attempted suicide at least once, but the
link between suicide and this condition is unclear.
Maladaptive daydreaming is an issue that affects your mind.
Your mind is the unique combination of memories,
experiences, thoughts, beliefs, emotions and more that only
you have. Your mind and brain aren’t the same thing. Your
brain is the physical part of your body that generates all the
above elements that make up your mind. But experts also
suspect that maladaptive daydreaming might involve
differences in your brain that other people don't have.
Effect of maladaptive daydreaming to the body

People with ADHD have small, but still important, differences in the
size of certain parts of their brains. Those areas are usually ones that
control executive functions like decision-making, planning and self-
motivation.
People with maladaptive daydreaming also seem to have trouble
with executive dysfunction, which is why there’s so much overlap
between maladaptive daydreaming and ADHD. They also experience
similar problems with managing their own emotions. That means
people with maladaptive daydreaming may also be more likely to
have similar differences in their brains. However, more research is
necessary before experts can confirm if this is the case.
Experts have found links between maladaptive daydreaming and
ADHD. A 2017 study looked at 39 people with maladaptive
daydreaming. Almost 77 percent of the participants had both
maladaptive daydreaming and ADHD.
In 2020, some experts stressed the need to move away from seeing
ADHD as mainly a behavioral issue and to focus more on how it
affects a person’s internal life. One aspect of this internal
presentation is maladaptive daydreaming, which can impact your
productivity and motivation at school and in the workplace. The
researchers note that this can affect females in particular.
Sleep disturbances are also common in both ADHD and maladaptive
dreaming.
There is no specific treatment for maladaptive daydreaming.
In a case study from 2018, a person who had 6 months of
counseling therapy — including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
and mindfulness meditation — reduced their daydreaming time by
over 50 percent.
Maladaptive daydreaming treatment
Maladaptive daydreaming in ADHD

Some researchers have proposed a technique called exposure and
response prevention (ERP), which aimed to reduce or stop
maladaptive daydreaming by changing the ends of story plots to make
them unpleasant to the person.
In an older study, published in 2008, researchers found fluvoxamine
(Luvox) was effective in helping a person with maladaptive
daydreaming manage their daydreams. Doctors prescribe this drug
for OCD.
As researchers learn more about why maladaptive dreaming happens
and how it links to other conditions, they may one day identify an
effective treatment.
Experts do not know precisely why maladaptive daydreaming occurs,
but they’ve found some links to other conditions.
People who engage in maladaptive daydreaming may share features
with people who engage in behavioral addictions, such as internet
gaming.
You may, for example:
- Feel the need to escape from real-life difficulties, such as social
anxiety and childhood trauma.
- Use daydreaming to seek out ways of overcoming problems that
appear insurmountable in real life.
- Feel distressed about being unable to control the daydreaming.
- Find daydreaming so rewarding that it becomes difficult to stop
doing it.
- Have dissociative tendencies, such as an excessive focus on internal
thoughts or a mistrust of the senses.
In one case study, a person who experienced maladaptive
daydreaming described feelings of shame and fear and an inability to
ask for what they wanted. They experienced a sense of trauma
around these emotions, although they did not have symptoms of
PTSD.
Why does maladaptive daydreaming happen

The individual:
-Had experienced bullying at school.
-Had felt neglected at home.
-Felt that excessive stress and a lack of emotional support had
discouraged interaction with others and prevented them from asking
for what they needed.
There is little research to confirm why maladaptive daydreaming
happens, and experts continue to investigate links to past
experiences and other conditions. They’re also discussing whether
maladaptive daydreaming should be a separate diagnosis.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects
people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have
trouble concentrating and may act on impulse.
Symptoms of ADHD tend to be noticed at an early age and may become
more noticeable when a child's circumstances change, such as when they
start school. Most cases are diagnosed when children are 3 to 7 years
old, but sometimes it's diagnosed later in childhood. Sometimes ADHD
was not recognised when someone was a child, and they are diagnosed
later as an adult.
The symptoms of ADHD usually improve with age, but many adults who
were diagnosed with the condition at a young age continue to experience
problems. People with ADHD may also have additional problems, such as
sleep and anxiety disorders.
Many children go through phases where they're restless or
inattentive. This is often completely normal and does not necessarily
mean they have ADHD. But you should discuss your concerns with your
child's teacher, their school's special educational needs co-ordinator
(SENCO) or a GP if you think their behaviour may be different from most
children their age.
It's also a good idea to speak to a GP if you're an adult and think you may
have ADHD, but were not diagnosed with the condition as a child.
The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but the condition has been shown
to run in families. Research has also identified a number of possible
differences in the brains of people with ADHD when compared with those
without the condition.
Other factors suggested as potentially having a role in ADHD include:
being born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy)
having a low birthweight
smoking or alcohol or drug abuse during pregnancy
ADHD can occur in people of any intellectual ability, although it's more
common in people with learning difficulties.
For children with ADHD, although there's no cure, it can be managed with
appropriate educational support, advice and support for parents and
affected children, alongside medicine, if necessary.
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

For adults with ADHD, medicine is often the first
treatment offered, although psychological therapies
such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may also
help.
Living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD)
Parents of children with ADHD
Looking after a child with ADHD can be challenging,
but it's important to remember that they cannot help
their behaviour.
Some day-to-day activities might be more difficult for
you and your child, including:
getting your child to sleep at night.
getting ready for school on time.
listening to and carrying out instructions.
being organised.
social occasions.
shopping.
Adults with ADHD
Adults with ADHD may find they have problems with:
organisation and time management.
following instructions.
focusing and completing tasks.
coping with stress.
feeling restless or impatient.
impulsiveness and risk taking .
Some adults may also have issues with relationships
or social interaction.

The symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity can be categorised
into 2 types of behavioural problems:
1: Inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)
2: Hyperactivity and impulsiveness
Many people with ADHD have problems that fall into both these
categories, but this is not always the case. For example, around 2 to
3 in 10 people with the condition have problems with concentrating
and focusing, but not with hyperactivity or impulsiveness.
This form of ADHD is also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD).
ADD can sometimes go unnoticed because the symptoms may be
less obvious. ADHD is more often diagnosed in boys than girls. Girls
are more likely to have symptoms of inattentiveness only, and are
less likely to show disruptive behaviour that makes ADHD symptoms
more obvious. This means girls who have ADHD may not always be
diagnosed.
The symptoms of ADHD in children and teenagers are well defined,
and they're usually noticeable before the age of 6. They occur in
more than 1 situation, such as at home and at school. Children may
have symptoms of both inattentiveness and hyperactivity and
impulsiveness, or they may have symptoms of just 1 of these types
of behaviour.
Inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)
The main signs of inattentiveness are:
-having a short attention span and being easily distracted
-making careless mistakes – for example, in schoolwork
-appearing forgetful or losing things
-being unable to stick to tasks that are tedious or time-consuming
-appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions
-constantly changing activity or task
-having difficulty organising tasks
Symptoms in children and teenagers
Symptoms of Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Hyperactivity and impulsiveness
The main signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness are:
-being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
-constantly fidgeting
-being unable to concentrate on tasks
-excessive physical movement
-excessive talking
-being unable to wait their turn
-acting without thinking
- interrupting conversations
-little or no sense of danger
These symptoms can cause significant problems in a child's life, such
as underachievement at school, poor social interaction with other
children and adults, and problems with discipline.
Related conditions in children and teenagers with ADHD
Although not always the case, some children may also have signs of
other problems or conditions alongside ADHD, such as:
anxiety disorder – which causes your child to worry and be nervous
much of the time; it may also cause physical symptoms, such as a
rapid heartbeat, sweating and dizziness
oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) – this is defined by negative and
disruptive behaviour, particularly towards authority figures, such as
parents and teachers
conduct disorder – this often involves a tendency towards highly
antisocial behaviour, such as stealing, fighting, vandalism and
harming people or animals
depression
sleep problems – finding it difficult to get to sleep at night, and
having irregular sleeping patterns
autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) – this affects social interaction,
communication, interests and behaviour
dyspraxia – a condition that affects physical co-ordination

epilepsy – a condition that affects the brain and causes repeated
fits or seizures
Tourette's syndrome – a condition of the nervous system,
characterised by a combination of involuntary noises and movements
(tics)
learning difficulties – such as dyslexia
In adults, the symptoms of ADHD are more difficult to define. This is
largely due to a lack of research into adults with ADHD.
As ADHD is a developmental disorder, it's believed it cannot develop
in adults without it first appearing during childhood. But symptoms of
ADHD in children and teenagers often continue into adulthood.
The way in which inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness
affect adults can be very different from the way they affect children.
For example, hyperactivity tends to decrease in adults, while
inattentiveness tends to remain as the pressures of adult life
increase. Adult symptoms of ADHD also tend to be far more subtle
than childhood symptoms.
Some specialists have suggested the following as a list of symptoms
associated with ADHD in adults:
-carelessness and lack of attention to detail
-continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones
-poor organisational skills
-inability to focus or prioritise
-continually losing or misplacing things
- forgetfulness
Symptoms in adults

-restlessness and edginess
-difficulty keeping quiet, and speaking out of turn
-blurting out responses and often interrupting others
-mood swings, irritability and a quick temper
-inability to deal with stress
-extreme impatience
-taking risks in activities, often with little or no regard for
personal safety or the safety of others – for example, driving
dangerously
Related conditions in adults with ADHD
As with ADHD in children and teenagers, ADHD in adults can
occur alongside several related problems or conditions.
One of the most common is depression. Other conditions that
adults may have alongside ADHD include:
personality disorders – conditions in which an individual differs
significantly from the average person in terms of how they think,
perceive, feel or relate to others
bipolar disorder – a condition affecting your mood, which can
swing from one extreme to another
obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) – a condition that causes
obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviour
The behavioural problems associated with ADHD can also cause
problems such as difficulties with relationships and social
interaction.
The exact cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) is not fully understood, although a combination of
factors is thought to be responsible.
Causes of ADHD

Genetics:
ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it's thought
the genes you inherit from your parents are a significant
factor in developing the condition.
Research shows that parents and siblings of someone with
ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves. However,
the way ADHD is inherited is likely to be complex and is not
thought to be related to a single genetic fault.
Brain function and structure:
Research has identified a number of possible differences in
the brains of people with ADHD from those without the
condition, although the exact significance of these is not
clear.
For example, studies involving brain scans have suggested
that certain areas of the brain may be smaller in people with
ADHD, whereas other areas may be larger.
Other studies have suggested that people with ADHD may
have an imbalance in the level of neurotransmitters in the
brain, or that these chemicals may not work properly.
Groups at risk:
Certain people are also believed to be more at risk of ADHD,
including people:
-who were born prematurely (before the 37th week of
pregnancy) or with a low birthweight
-with epilepsy
-with brain damage – which happened either in the womb
or after a severe head injury later in life.

If you think you or your child may have attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD), speak to a GP.
If you're worried about your child, it may help to speak to their teachers,
before seeing a GP, to find out if they have any concerns about your
child's behaviour.
The GP cannot formally diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your
concerns with you and refer you for a specialist assessment, if
necessary.
When you see a GP, they may ask you:
-about your symptoms or those of your child.
-when these symptoms started.
-where the symptoms occur – for example, at home, in school, college
or university, or at work.
-whether the symptoms affect your or your child's day-to-day life – for
example, if they make socialising difficult.
-if there have been any recent significant events in your or your child's
life, such as a death or divorce in the family.
-if there's a family history of ADHD.
-about any other problems or symptoms of different health conditions
you or your child may have.
Next steps
Children and teenagers
If the GP thinks your child may have ADHD, they may first suggest a
period of "watchful waiting" – lasting around 10 weeks – to see if your
child's symptoms improve, stay the same or get worse.
They may also suggest starting a group-based, ADHD-focused parent
training or education programme. Being offered a parent training and
education programme does not mean you have been a bad parent – it
aims to teach you ways of helping yourself and your child.

If your child's behaviour does not improve, and both you and the GP
believe it's affecting their day-to-day life, the GP should refer you
and your child to a specialist for a formal assessment.
Adults
For adults with possible ADHD, the GP will assess your symptoms
and may refer you for an assessment if:
you were not diagnosed with ADHD as a child, but your symptoms
began during childhood and have been ongoing since
your symptoms cannot be explained by a mental health condition
your symptoms significantly affect your day-to-day life – for example,
if you're underachieving at work or find intimate relationships
difficult
You may also be referred to a specialist if you had ADHD as a child
or young person and your symptoms are now causing moderate or
severe functional impairment.
You or your child may be referred to 1 of the following types of
specialist for a formal assessment:
1 a specialist child or adult psychiatrist
2 a paediatrician – a specialist in children's health
3 an appropriately qualified healthcare professional with training
and expertise in the diagnosis of ADHD
Who you're referred to depends on your age and what's available in
your local area.
There's no simple test to determine whether you or your child has
ADHD, but your specialist can
Assessment

make an accurate diagnosis after a detailed assessment. The
assessment may include:
- a physical examination, which can help rule out other possible
causes for the symptoms.
- a series of interviews with you or your child
- interviews or reports from other significant people, such as
partners, parents and teachers
Diagnosing ADHD in children depends on a set of strict criteria. To
be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must have 6 or more symptoms
of inattentiveness, or 6 or more symptoms of hyperactivity and
impulse.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must also have:
Been displaying symptoms continuously for at least 6 months.
Started to show symptoms before the age of 12.
Been showing symptoms in at least 2 different settings – for
example, at home and at school, to rule out the possibility that the
behaviour is just a reaction to certain teachers or to parental
control.
Symptoms that make their lives considerably more difficult on a
social, academic or occupational level.
Symptoms that are not just part of a developmental disorder or
difficult phase, and are not better accounted for by another
condition.
Diagnosing ADHD in adults is more difficult because there's some
disagreement about whether the list of symptoms used to diagnose
children and teenagers also applies to adults.
In some cases, an adult may be diagnosed with ADHD if they have 5
or more of the symptoms of inattentiveness, or 5 or more of
hyperactivity and impulsiveness, listed in diagnostic criteria for
children with ADHD.
Diagnosis in adult
Diagnosis in children and teenagers

As part of your assessment, the specialist will ask about your
present symptoms. However, under current diagnostic guidelines, a
diagnosis of ADHD in adults cannot be confirmed unless your
symptoms have been present from childhood.
If you find it difficult to remember whether you had problems as a
child, your specialist may wish to see your old school records, or talk
to your parents, teachers or anyone else who knew you well when
you were a child.
For an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD, their symptoms should
also have a moderate effect on different areas of their life, such as:
-underachieving at work or in education.
-driving dangerously.
-difficulty making or keeping friends.
-difficulty in relationships with partners.
If your problems are recent and did not occur regularly in the past,
you're not considered to have ADHD. This is because it's currently
thought that ADHD cannot develop for the first time in adults.
Treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can
help relieve the symptoms and make the condition much less of a
problem in day-to-day life. ADHD can be treated using medicine or
therapy, but a combination of both is often best.
Treatment is usually arranged by a specialist, such as a paediatrician
or psychiatrist, although the condition may be monitored by a GP.
There are 5 types of medicine licensed for the treatment of ADHD:
Treatment of ADHD
Medicine

1 Methylphenidate
2 LIsdexamfetamine
3 Dexamfetamine
4 Atomoxetine
5 Guanfacine
These medicines are not a permanent cure for ADHD but may
help someone with the condition concentrate better, be less
impulsive, feel calmer, and learn and practise new skills.
Some medicines need to be taken every day, but some can be
taken just on school days. Treatment breaks are occasionally
recommended to assess whether the medicine is still needed.
If you were not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood, a GP and
specialist can discuss which medicines and therapies are
suitable for you.
If you or your child is prescribed one of these medicines, you'll
probably be given small doses at first, which may then be
gradually increased. You or your child will need to see a GP for
regular check-ups to ensure the treatment is working effectively
and check for signs of any side effects or problems.
It's important to let the GP know about any side effects and talk
to them if you feel you need to stop or change treatment.
Your specialist will discuss how long you should take your
treatment but, in many cases, treatment is continued for as long
as it is helping.
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the most commonly used medicine for
ADHD. It belongs to a group of medicines called stimulants,
which work by increasing activity in the brain, particularly in
areas that play a part in controlling attention and behaviour.

Methylphenidate may be offered to adults, teenagers and
children over the age of 5 with ADHD.
The medicine can be taken as either immediate-release
tablets (small doses taken 2 to 3 times a day) or as modified-
release tablets (taken once a day in the morning, with the
dose released throughout the day).
Common side effects of methylphenidate include:
-a small increase in blood pressure and heart rate
-loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss or poor
weight gain
-trouble sleeping
-headaches
- stomach aches
-feeling aggressive, irritable, depressed, anxious or tense
Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medicine that stimulates certain parts
of the brain. It improves concentration, helps focus attention
and reduces impulsive behaviour.
It may be offered to teenagers and children over the age of 5
with ADHD if at least 6 weeks of treatment with
methylphenidate has not helped.
Adults may be offered lisdexamfetamine as the first-choice
medicine instead of methylphenidate.

Lisdexamfetamine comes in capsule form, taken once
a day.
Common side effects of lisdexamfetamine include:
-decreased appetite, which can lead to weight loss or
poor weight gain
-aggression
-drowsiness
-dizziness
-headaches
-diarrhoea
-nausea and vomiting
Dexamfetamine
Dexamfetamine is similar to lisdexamfetamine and
works in the same way. It may be offered to adults,
teenagers and children over the age of 5 with ADHD.
Dexamfetamine is usually taken as a tablet 2 to 4 times
a day, although an oral solution is also available.
Common side effects of dexamfetamine include:
-decreased appetite
-mood swings
-agitation and aggression
-dizziness
-headaches
-diarrhoea

Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine works differently from other ADHD medicines.
It's a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which
means it increases the amount of a chemical in the brain
called noradrenaline. This chemical passes messages
between brain cells, and increasing it can aid concentration
and help control impulses.
Atomoxetine may be offered to adults, teenagers and
children over the age of 5 if it's not possible to use
methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine. It's also licensed for
use in adults if symptoms of ADHD are confirmed.
Atomoxetine comes in capsule form, usually taken once or
twice a day.
Common side effects of atomoxetine include:
- a small increase in blood pressure and heart rate
- stomach aches
- trouble sleeping
- dizziness
- headaches
- iritability
Atomoxetine has also been linked to some more serious
side effects that are important to look out for, including
suicidal thoughts and liver damage.

If either you or your child begin to feel depressed or suicidal while
taking this medicine, speak to your doctor.
Guanfacine
Guanfacine acts on part of the brain to improve attention, and it
also reduces blood pressure.
It may be offered to teenagers and children over the age of 5 if it's
not possible to use methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine.
Guanfacine should not be offered to adults with ADHD.
Guanfacine is usually taken as a tablet once a day, in the morning
or evening.
Common side effects include:
-tiredness or fatigue
- headache
-abdominal pain
-dry mouth
As well as taking medicine, different therapies can be useful in
treating ADHD in children, teenagers and adults. Therapy is also
effective in treating additional problems, such as conduct or
anxiety disorders, that may appear with ADHD.
Here are some of the therapies that may be used.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation means you or your child will be encouraged to
discuss ADHD and its effects. It can help children, teenagers and
adults make sense of being diagnosed with ADHD, and can help
you to cope and live with the condition.
Therapy

Behaviour therapy
Behaviour therapy provides support for carers of children with
ADHD and may involve teachers as well as parents. Behaviour
therapy usually involves behaviour management, which uses a
system of rewards to encourage your child to try to control their
ADHD.
If your child has ADHD, you can identify types of behaviour you
want to encourage, such as sitting at the table to eat. Your child
is then given some sort of small reward for good behaviour.
For teachers, behaviour management involves learning how to
plan and structure activities, and to praise and encourage
children for even very small amounts of progress.
Parent training and education programmes
If your child has ADHD, specially tailored parent training and
education programmes can help you learn specific ways of
talking to your child, and playing and working with them to
improve their attention and behaviour.
You may also be offered parent training before your child is
formally diagnosed with ADHD. These programmes are usually
arranged in groups of around 10 to 12 parents. A programme
usually consists of 10 to 16 meetings, lasting up to 2 hours each.
Being offered a parent training and education programme does
not mean you have been a bad parent – it aims to teach parents
and carers about behaviour management, while increasing
confidence in your ability to help your child and improve your
relationship.
Social skills training
Social skills training involves your child taking part in role-play
situations and aims to teach them how to behave in social
situations by learning how their behaviour affects others.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems
by changing the way you think and behave. A therapist would try
to change how you or your child feels about a situation, which
would in turn potentially change their behaviour.
CBT can be carried out with a therapist individually or in a group.
Other possible treatments
There are other ways of treating ADHD that some people with
the condition find helpful, such as cutting out certain foods and
taking supplements. However, there's no strong evidence these
work, and they should not be attempted without medical advice.
Diet
People with ADHD should eat a healthy, balanced diet. Do not
cut out foods before seeking medical advice.
Some people may notice a link between types of food and
worsening ADHD symptoms. If this is the case, keep a diary of
what you eat and drink, and what behaviour follows. Discuss this
with a GP, who may refer you to a dietitian (a healthcare
professional who specialises in nutrition).
Supplements
Some studies have suggested that supplements of omega-3 and
omega-6 fatty acids may be beneficial for people with ADHD,
although the evidence supporting this is very limited.
It's advisable to talk to a GP before using any supplements,
because some can react unpredictably with medicine or make it
less effective.
You should also remember that some supplements should not
be taken long term, as they can reach dangerous levels in your
body.

Tips for parents
If you're the parent of a child with ADHD:
be sure your GP or specialist helps you
understand the difference between ADHD and
any other problems your child may have
think about who else needs to know about your
child's ADHD, such as their school or nursery
find out the side effects of any medicine your
child takes and what you need to look out for
getting to know people at local support groups
can stop you feeling isolated and help you to
cope.

Living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be
difficult, as the symptoms can make everyday activities more of a
challenge.It's important to get the support you need to understand
and cope with your or your child's condition.
Ways to cope for parents of children with ADHD
Caring for a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
can be challenging. The impulsive, fearless and chaotic behaviours
typical of ADHD can make everyday activities exhausting and
stressful.
Although it can be difficult at times, it's important to remember that
a child with ADHD cannot help their behaviour. People with ADHD
can find it difficult to suppress impulses, which means they may not
stop to consider a situation, or the consequences, before they act.
If you're looking after a child with ADHD, you may find this advice
helpful.
Plan the day
Plan the day so your child knows what to expect. Set routines can
make a difference to how a child with ADHD copes with everyday
life.
For example, if your child has to get ready for school, break it down
into structured steps, so they know exactly what they need to do.
Set clear boundaries
Make sure everyone knows what behaviour is expected, and
reinforce positive behaviour with immediate praise or rewards. Be
clear, using enforceable consequences, such as taking away a
privilege, if boundaries are overstepped and follow these through
consistently.
Be positive
Living with ADHD

Give specific praise. Instead of saying a general: "Thanks for
doing that," you could say: "You washed the dishes really well.
Thank you."
This will make it clear to your child that you're pleased and why.
Giving instructions
If you're asking your child to do something, give brief instructions
and be specific. Instead of asking: "Can you tidy your bedroom?"
say: "Please put your toys into the box and put the books back
onto the shelf."
This makes it clearer what your child needs to do and creates
opportunities for praise when they get it right.
. Incentive scheme
Set up your own incentive scheme using a points or star chart,
so good behaviour can earn a privilege. For example, behaving
well on a shopping trip will earn your child time on the computer
or some sort of game.
Involve your child in it and allow them to help decide what the
privileges will be.
These charts need regular changes or they become boring.
Targets should be:
immediate – for example, daily
intermediate – for example, weekly
long-term – for example, 3-monthly
Try to focus on just 1 or 2 behaviours at a time.

Intervene early
Watch for warning signs. If your child looks like they're becoming
frustrated, overstimulated and about to lose self-control, intervene.
Distract your child, if possible, by taking them away from the
situation. This may calm them down.
Social situations
Keep social situations short and sweet. Invite friends to play, but
keep playtimes short so your child does not lose self-control. Do
not aim to do this when your child is feeling tired or hungry, such
as after a day at school.
Exercise
Make sure your child gets lots of physical activity during the day.
Walking, skipping and playing sport can help your child wear
themselves out and improve their quality of sleep.
Make sure they're not doing anything too strenuous or exciting
near to bedtime.
Eating
Keep an eye on what your child eats. If your child is hyperactive
after eating certain foods, which may contain additives or caffeine,
keep a diary of these and discuss them with a GP.
Bedtime
Stick to a routine. Make sure your child goes to bed at the same
time each night and gets up at the same time in the morning.
Avoid overstimulating activities in the hours before bedtime, such
as computer games or watching TV.

Night time
Sleep problems and ADHD can be a vicious circle. ADHD can lead to sleep
problems, which in turn can make symptoms worse.
Many children with ADHD will repeatedly get up after being put to bed and
have interrupted sleep patterns. Trying a sleep-friendly routine can help
your child and make bedtime less of a battleground.
Help at school
Children with ADHD often have problems with their behaviour at school,
and the condition can negatively affect a child's academic progress.
Speak to your child's teachers or their school's special educational needs
co-ordinator (SENCO) about any extra support your child may need.
Adults with ADHD
If you're an adult living with ADHD, you may find the following advice useful:
if you find it hard to stay organised, then make lists, keep diaries, stick up
reminders and set aside some time to plan what you need to do
let off steam by exercising regularly
find ways to help you relax, such as listening to music or learning breathing
exercises for stress
if you have a job, speak to your employer about your condition, and discuss
anything they can do to help you work better.
if you're at college or university, ask about what adjustments can be made
to support you, such as extra time to complete exams and coursework.
talk to a doctor about your suitability to drive, as you'll need to tell the
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if your ADHD affects your
driving.
contact or join a local or national support group – these organisations can
put you in touch with other people in a similar situation, and can be a good
source of support, information and advice.
Read about living with ADHD on the AADD-UK website. AADD-UK is a charity
specifically for adults with ADHD.

pdf_20220726_113454_0000.pdf

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to pdf_20220726_113454_0000.pdf

Similar to pdf_20220726_113454_0000.pdf (17)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

pdf_20220726_113454_0000.pdf