Differences in Mental Health Disorders Relate Family Therapy sees kids and adults that have experienced addiction and others traumas related to the addiction.
Inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive behavior may in fact mirror the effects of adversity, and many pediatricians, psychiatrists, and psychologists don’t know how—or don’t have the time—to tell the difference.-The Atlantic Certainly physicians can be guilty of getting overly focused on child symptoms and medications while not paying enough attention to the factors that might be driving or exacerbating them.
The bottom line here is a need to throw out our “this or that” thinking and understand that reactions to adverse environments can contribute to ADHD or be part of ADHD rather than necessarily be mistaken for ADHD-Psychology Today
- The behaviors are only seen in one setting
- Violence and abuse in the child’s life
- General disruption and chaos in the child’s life
- Does not seem to listen to you consistently
- Seems to have issues putting effort into tasks, preoccupied, lack of confidence
- Appears to lack focus or concentration on some things, but not others.
- Appears restless, moves at inappropriate times
- Does not respond to traditional ADHD meds (stimulants) as predicted-Meds cannot get rid of a negative environment
What role does genetics play in trauma and ADHD?
- Anxiety in Kids
- Lack of focus and concentration
- Hypervigilance
- Difficulty in finishing tasks
- Can be secretive or unable to share concerns
Acute Trauma vs. Long Term Trauma
Death of someone- Acute in the make-up of the trauma, but can take a great deal of time to work through.
On-going emotional abuse- Consistent and damaging in an all encompassing way.
Depression in Kids
Loss of pleasure in activities
Agitated body or lack of movement
Irritability
Difficulty in the ability to concentrate
Forgetful of assignments and turning them in