What does ADHD mean to you?

Reminder for the next meeting( last before the summer) of the adult group on Wednesday June 10th. 8pm


Topic: What does ADHD mean to you?

How it affects us in everyday life positively and negatively
An informal discussion

for more information e-mail:Stephaniebrussels@yahoo.com

ADHD-Europe-Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD in Europe;differences, problems and Progess by Stephanie Clark

I have some copies of the ADHD Europe booklet, see the previous posting for more information.
‘’Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD in Europe; Differences, Problems and Progress’

Available at 5 euros each.
this is a survey of 19 European countries, which deals with (among many other issues) the problems of migrants in finding treatment and diagnosis, and particularly the international community in Belgium.

EUROPEAN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FAIL THE AD/HD TEST Press release ADHD-Europe.

Mental health care professionals, including psychologists and psychiatrists, frequently have little or no specialized training in treating Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), the most common lifelong mental health problem.

In a newly published survey, Diagnosis &Treatment of AD/HD in Europe: Differences, Problems and Progress, ADHD-Europe examines provision for the treatment and diagnosis of AD/HD in 19 European countries.

Despite some improvements, the survey found provision for AD/HD diagnosis and treatment in crisis. As demand for diagnostic assessment increases, European mental health professionals still receive little or no specialized training in the proper diagnosis and treatment of AD/HD, resulting in insufficient diagnostic services, long waiting times (children can wait for years), inadequate and inappropriate treatment availability for children and less for adults.

A spokeswoman for TDA/H Belgique, Wallonia, Belgium said:

Sometimes it is truly an uphill battle. Some health professionals still know very little about this disorder. Doctors, including psychiatrists and neurologists, look for psychological and/or educational causes.

AD/HD is not caused by poor parenting, changes in the pace of modern society or too much television; it is a neurodevelopmental disorder with core symptoms of inattention and impulsivity, with or without hyperactivity. The causes are complex, but around 80 % of the risk factor is genetic, with approximately 5-6 % of children and 3-5 % of adults being thought to meet the DSM-IV TR diagnostic criteria. In addition to impairments resulting from these symptoms, sufferers and their families may also be affected by social stigma. Treatment offers children a release from the misery and isolation brought about by their behavioural symptoms, as well as improvements in family life and educational achievement. Untreated AD/HD can lead to pervasive lifetime impairment, but the outlook can be much improved with proper treatment.

ADHD-Europe aisbl is a European non-profit umbrella organization which received full legal recognition in Belgium in April 2009. At present, ADHD-Europe represents 27 National and Regional organizations concerned with AD/HD from 19 countries who have worked together since 2005 for the improvement of the situation of those affected by AD/HD.

The survey will be available on May 21, 2009 from ADHD-Europe aisbl, Avenskouter 13, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.

ADHD-Europe

www.adhdeurope.eu

info@adhdeurope.eu

Rita Bollaert

Coordinator

ritabollaert@adhdeurope.eu