DO YOU HAVE ADHD?

Masukan pada kali ini saya petik dari sebuah majallah berbahasa Inggeris bernama URBANHEALTH. Majallah ini telah mendapat HEALTH MEDIA AWARD BY MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA sebagai 'Best Health Journalism Award 2013 - English Language Category. Ianya dapat dilanggan dari: Urban Health, Suite B-11-3, Level 11, Block B, Plaza Mont' Kiara, No. 2, Jalan Kiara, Mont' Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.

Contoh mutu kandungan majallah ini saya persembahkan di bawah ini:

 

By Edeline Anne Goh (Urbanhealth, Issue 104, October 2013 pp. 24-25)

Globally, it is believed that ADHD affects about 3 percent to 5 percent of the world’s population.

When it comes to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the spotlight is usually focused on children but the truth is, when left undiagnosed or untreated, ADHD symptoms are often carried into adolescence and adulthood.

UNDERSTANDING ADHD

ADHD is a condition characterised by inattention, hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. Mental health professionals use the criteria listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual to diagnose a person displaying multiple symptoms that persist for more than 6 months.

There are three subtypes of ADHD depending on the pattern of behaviour demonstrated by the patient: Primarily Inattentive, Primarily Hyperactive or the Combined, which is a combination of symptoms. Those with ADHD tend to have average or above average intelligence but they also have a different way of processing and organising information in their minds, managing impulses and staying focused.

In some cases, neither you nor your parents may suspect you have ADHD as a child, until the conditions starts to affect your life as you get older and pick up some responsibilities. This will eventually result in you consulting a medical expert as you feel that things are starting to get out of hand. For instance, you might constantly miss work deadlines, which could jeopardize your career or you could be paying your bills late every single month, leaving you with unwanted late payment fees.

When you finally decide to see your doctor, she may ask a number of questions including: “Did you experience ADHD symptoms when you were young?” or “Do you have a family member who has been diagnosed with ADHD?”

Adults with ADHD who have unresolved symptoms that originated during childhood, are more likely to have a history of work and relationship challenges that may affect self-esteem, performance as well as opportunities in life.