ARE PARENTS TO BLAME FOR NOT DISCIPLINING THEIR KID? No. ADHD is not a result of anything that parents have done. A person with ADHD actually has a brain that functions and is structured differently. Researchers have not been able to identify an exact cause, but they have determined it to be a genetic condition marked by chemical imbalance in the brain. Where parenting does come into play is how well a child copes and progresses with ADHD. Structure, for example, can be very important, but punishment for restlessness and hyperactivity can be detrimental. Parents can seek behavior therapy for their children to help them develop social and planning skills that are hindered by ADHD, and they can work with their child’s teacher to stay in the loop about their child’s performance in school.
CAN GIRLS HAVE ADHD, OR IS IT JUST BOYS? Both boys and girls can have ADHD. In fact, ADHD doesn’t discriminate—anyone regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, IQ, education level, and socioeconomic background can have ADHD. Statistically
speaking, boys are twice as likely as girls to be diagnosed. ADHD in boys might be more noticeable to the untrained observer because boys tend to have more trouble with hyperactivity and girls are more inclined to daydream or have trouble focusing.
CAN YOU CURE ADHD WITH MEDICATION OR GROW OUT OF IT WHEN YOU BECOME AN ADULT? About 75 percent of children with ADHD grow up to be adults with ADHD. The condition can even worsen as they mature, and adults with ADHD could be affected by anxiety, mood disorders, substance abuse, and addictions. The struggles caused by ADHD mean that they could have trouble in social or romantic relationships as well as their professional endeavors, and it can even get them into financial or legal trouble. Although medication is available for ADHD, it isn’t a cure-all for every aspect of the condition. Medication can help a child focus and control their activity or impulsiveness, but it won’t automatically teach them social skills or organizational skills— these are abilities that children must conquer on their own or with therapeutic help.
HEALTH & BEAUTY HEALTH
What Runs in Your Family? THERE ARE REASONS YOU SHOULD KNOW YOUR FAMILY HEALTH HISTORY. HERE’S HOW YOU CAN START COMPILING THE INFO YOU NEED By Dylan Roche
Some people like to keep a record of how their grandparents met or what life was like for their ancestors when they arrived on Ellis Island. Those types of family records are great—but the more important record you should be keeping is your family health history. If you aren’t already keeping up with this trend, you should know that most health care experts—including those with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the National Institutes of Health—encourage it. A family health history is exactly what it sounds like: a history of all diseases and conditions observed in your immediate and extended family. Back in 2004, the Department of Health and Human Services, along with Dr. Richard Carmona, then the surgeon general, launched the U.S. Surgeon General’s Family History Initiative, which encourages all Americans to learn about any conditions that run in their family. That includes not only chronic conditions (like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes) but also details such as the age of diagnosis, cause of death, lifestyle habits (diet, exercise, smoking, and drinking), and environmental factors (for example, living in a community with bad air quality).
whatsupmag.com | October 2020 | What’s Up? West County
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