ADHD: Primary Care Perspectives

Table of Contents

1. "My Child is Hyper": How Can My Pediatrician Help?
   1. The Disorder
   2. Pre-Test
   3. OBJECTIVES
2. DIAGNOSIS
3. CO-MORBIDITIES
4. DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS
5. ANXIETY DISORDERS
6. OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER
7. AUTISM
8. PHARMACOLOGIC TREATMENT: STIMULANT MEDICATIONS
9. PHARMACOLOGIC TREATMENT: OTHER MEDICATIONS
10. NON-PHARMACOLOGIC MANAGEMENT OF ADHD
11. POST-TEST
12. USEFUL RESOURCES
13. SELECTED REFERENCES
14. THE AUTHORS

The Disorder

There is strong evidence to suggest that ADHD is a neurobiochemical disorder. Neurophysiologic findings point to abnormalities in neurotransmitter function (especially dopamine and norepinephrine) in patients with ADHD. The areas impacted in the brain are those responsible for executive functioning, especially the prefrontal cortex, and also the cerebellum. Thus, there is biochemical rationale for the use of stimulants (which appear to increase dopamine and/or norepinepherine levels in the brain).

ADHD shows a strong familial pattern, suggesting a genetic component for this disorder.

There is a strong male predominance (boys with ADHD outnumber girls with ADHD by about 3 to 1).