With attention deficit, 1.5 million children

Laura Poy Solano

Newspaper La Jornada
Saturday, August 13, 2022, p. 9

In Mexico, it is estimated that at least 1.5 million children under the age of 14 suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), considered a condition that has no cure, but can be controlled.

Jaime Vázquez Moreno, an expert in public health and ADHD care, highlighted in a videoconference convened by the Salud Justa organization that one of the biggest obstacles to dealing with cases is the stigma and discrimination suffered by children with this disease, which it does not have a diagnostic test, but it can be detected in time by parents and teachers.

He noted that ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders. Its main symptoms are: problems paying attention, impulsive behaviors, and excessive physical and mental activity.

Children with this disorder often have trouble getting along with other children, have trouble making friends, have difficulty controlling impulses and movements, and have behavior problems.

Vázquez Moreno indicated that the causes of ADHD are still being studied, although recent studies indicate that in 70 percent of the cases studied, the parents also had ADHD; in others there was exposure to tobacco and alcohol during pregnancy; was preterm or low birth weight.

The diagnosis of this disorder, he indicated, is a process, since the symptoms can be confused with anxiety, depression or learning problems. There is no single treatment for all patients or a diagnostic test that gives an accurate result. The minor should be observed at home and at school, go to the general practitioner, as well as clinical psychologists and psychiatrists.

He warned that pharmacological treatment must be constantly monitored, and called on parents to recognize ADHD as a problem, without delaying timely treatment of this disease, which can be detected and treated in time, to guarantee the full development of children and young people.