CHILDREN suffering with ADHD may not finish school due to the disruptive aspects of the condition, a leading specialist in the north west has warned.
Dr Ashish Kumar, who has been working in the psychiatry industry for more than 15 years, believes sufferers miss out on various elements of life, such as education and good jobs, especially if their ADHD is undiagnosed.
He says: “Many children have waited all their life, they have missed out on complete education, and when I see those children, it really is heart-breaking that it was not their fault.”
Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder include lack of attention, poor timekeeping, forgetfulness and acting without thinking, which can lead to poor performance in education, difficulties in personal life and difficulties in the workplace.
People with ADHD also have a higher risk of becoming involved in criminal activity, including the consumption of drugs and alcohol, and can also suffer from several other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression and OCD.
He says: “They might know what is right and what is not right, but because of impulsivity, they may not act within those boundaries.”
The Wigan-based psychiatrist believes that raising awareness is vital, and says: “We need to train our parents, and I am a parent, so I would not say it is the wrong thing to think about always to learn from someone who could impart your special knowledge and skills to look after your child.”
Five to seven per cent of children, and around four per cent of adults, suffer with ADHD worldwide.
Dr Kumar explains: “It is the diagnosis which is changing their lives.
“It gives me lots of, I would say, professional as well as personal satisfaction that I am able to touch someone’s life in a positive manner, give them some hope – real hope – and I am able to help them achieve what they want to achieve.”
He stresses seeking help early, because treatment is available, and significantly improves the lives of those who suffer with ADHD.
Awareness of ADHD is key to early diagnosis and treatment, and that is why October celebrates ADHD Awareness Month, to inform people about the condition, and possibly make people realise that they, or someone close to them, may suffer from it.
If someone is concerned that they, or somebody they know, might have ADHD, the first port of call should be their GP, a local mental health team, or a voluntary organisation, like the ADHD Foundation.
Click here to listen to the full interview with Dr Kumar.
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