{"id":110390,"date":"2019-06-13T11:02:42","date_gmt":"2019-06-13T10:02:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/?p=110390"},"modified":"2023-03-16T10:58:30","modified_gmt":"2023-03-16T10:58:30","slug":"add-symptoms-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/add-symptoms-in-children.htm","title":{"rendered":"ADD Symptoms in Children – Psychology or Psychiatry?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"ADD<\/a>

By: Stefano Mortellaro<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Yes, your child is struggling and you are ready to seek help. But<\/strong> should you trust a psychiatrist suggesting medication? Who else can diagnose ADD symptoms in children<\/a> here in the UK?\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

ADD Symptoms in Children <\/span><\/h2>\n

First, let\u2019s clear up some myths about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, or ADD) symptoms in children. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Your child does not have to be hyperactive all the time to receive an ADD diagnosis. This myth leads to many children, particularly girls, going undiagnosed. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

There are now three main symptoms recognised as the markers of ADD. These are <\/strong>inattention, impulsivity<\/a>, and hyperactivity.\u00a0 <\/span>If your child has even one of these symptoms, to the point they suffer at school and socially, they might be diagnosed. <\/span><\/p>\n

So while the classic example of an ADD\/ ADHD child is one who is<\/strong> disruptive (impulsivity), always fidgeting, and talking a lot (hyperactivity)? The girl in the corner always staring out the window and dreaming (inattention) might also have ADHD. <\/span><\/p>\n

Read more in our article<\/strong>, \u201cADHD in Children – Should You Be Concerned?<\/a>\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Psychiatrist, Psychologist, or\u2026.? <\/span><\/h2>\n
\"add<\/a>

By: JD Hancock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

A psychiatrist<\/a> is the only mental health practitioner in the UK who is also a medical doctor qualified to prescribe medication to adults.<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n

And they are the ones who officially diagnose adult ADHD<\/a>. For adults, the recommended treatment pathway is indeed medication.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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But medication first is NOT the official guidance for child ADHD\/ADD in the UK. In fact it is advised that children under five are not given medication. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Nor is just seeing a psychiatrist recommended (or a paediatrician, who can also prescribe mental health medication to children).<\/span><\/p>\n

The guidelines for child ADHD diagnosis and treatment put out by NICE<\/a>, the National Institute <\/strong>for Health and Care Excellence in the UK,\u00a0clearly advise that teams are involved in a child’s diagnosis. <\/span>It states, \u201cMental health services for children, young people and adults, and child health services, should form multidisciplinary specialist ADHD teams and\/or clinics for children and young people, and separate teams and\/or clinics for adults.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

So who can diagnose my child with ADHD symptoms? <\/span><\/h2>\n

So what sort of health professionals would be <\/strong>involved in a specialist ADHD team for children? <\/span><\/p>\n

As well as a child psychiatrist,<\/strong> it can include:
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