ADD/ADHD News
November 3rd 2004 2004
Press Release
NEW ADHD CAMPAIGN 'FAMILY STRESS POINTS' REVEALS MORNING AND EVENING CHAOS THAT SEVERELY DISRUPTS FAMILY LIFE
We were sent the following Press Release from Virgo Health PR regarding recent research.
For further information contact:
Eli Lilly and Company Customer Care Line - 01256 315999
Wednesday 3rd November, 2004: A new campaign, "Family Stress Points: Living with ADHD 24/7" is launched today to provide support and advice for parents of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on coping with the most stressful times of the day. The campaign has been developed with the support of ADDISS (the National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service) as well as Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Tanya Byron, best known for the BBC TV series "Little Angels".
Research to support the campaign reveals that parents of children with ADHD are looking for more symptom control from current treatments, particularly at the times of day when family life is most disrupted. Early mornings and evenings are known to be the day's key stress points,1 but there is a 'gap' of up to 27% between the levels of symptom control doctors believe treatments are giving throughout the day and the real-life experiences of parents.
2
Key findings from the research include:
- 85% of doctors expect symptoms to be controlled from 8-9am, whereas 62% of parents agree that this is the case
2
- 60% of doctors expect treatments to still be effective from 5-7pm, however just 45% of parents feel that symptoms are under control at this time
2
- Although most parents and doctors agree that ADHD medication completely wears off between 7pm and 9pm, for a significant minority of parents (17%), symptom relief has already ended by 5pm
2
As treatment wears off, the detrimental impact of the condition is magnified for crucial times of the day, affecting both family life and social relationships.
- Over 90% of parents believe their child's ADHD has a moderate or severe impact on family life
2
- 63% of respondents feel that parents generally do not want their children to play with a child with ADHD
2
In this environment, parents are looking for much more from treatments: 68% of parents are looking for a treatment that provides 24-hour symptom relief but only 1% believes that this is currently achievable.
2
Dr David Coghill, Senior Lecturer in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Dundee comments, "ADHD is a 24-hour condition and the busiest times of the day for the family - mornings and evenings - can be the most stressful for parents and children alike. As a result, we know that affected children can miss out on friendships, after-school activities and hobbies whilst family time is constantly disrupted. The daily and constant chaos that ADHD can cause impacts not only on the development of the child with the disorder, but also affects his or her siblings, the wider family, school and community."
Dr Tanya Byron, who specialises in child and adolescent mental health said: "Children with ADHD and their families can work together to find practical ways of managing their lives in order to minimise daily disruptions and stresses and maximise quality loving and positive family time. Information and advice for parents gives them the freedom to take action which will benefit all their children and allow them to get the most out of family life."
The new campaign provides support and practical advice for parents on managing the most stressful times of the day, with practical hints and tips and contact details for organisations that can help. The information is available by telephoning 01256 315999 or emailing your name and address to
ADHD@familystresspoints.co.uk.
Andrea Bilbow, Chief Executive of ADDISS added: "ADHD affects everybody in the family, not just the diagnosed child and this is especially true at the most stressful times of the day before medication takes effect and after it has worn off. This campaign will hopefully raise awareness of the family impact of ADHD and by giving practical advice and support, will help to take the pressure off some of the day's stress points."
- Ends -
Notes to editors
Research findings
The research also uncovered the following:
Stress points
- 39% of parents experience difficulty getting their child with ADHD dressed and ready for school
2
- 59% say their child finds it difficult to sit through breakfast
2
- 68% experience difficulties getting equipment ready for school
2 Impact on family life
- Almost half of parents agree that ADHD has had a severe impact on family life as a whole, limiting family activities and outings
2
- 53% of families avoid going out to public places and 23% avoid eating out
2 Friendships
- 59% of adults (who do not have children with ADHD) believe that children with ADHD have fewer friends
2
About ADHD
- ADHD affects an estimated 3-7% of school-aged children,2 roughly two children in every classroom
3
- The core symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness which are not expected of those of the same age and developmental level3
About Family Stress Points: Living with ADHD 24/7
- The campaign aims to raise awareness of the family impact of ADHD and give advice and support to parents of children with ADHD
- The campaign literature identifies the "stress points" experienced every day by parents and children - most commonly early mornings and evenings
- It provides practical hints and tips on managing these stress points and information on where to find more advice and support
- The new information leaflet is available by telephoning Lilly Customer Care on 01256 315999 or emailing
ADHD@familystresspoints.co.uk
- The campaign has been sponsored by an educational grant from Eli Lilly and Company Limited.
There is lots of information on managing ADHD and the family impact on
www.adhdmatters.co.uk
About the research
- The national survey involved 70 paediatricians, 55 child and adolescent psychiatrists, 101 parents of children with ADHD who were receiving treatment for the condition and 147 parents who know a child with ADHD
- Fieldwork took place in May and June 2004, conducted by Adelphi Research UK on behalf of Lilly
About ADDISS
- ADDISS (the National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service) is a registered charity providing information, training and support for parents, sufferers and professionals in the fields of ADHD and related learning and behavioural difficulties
- They can be contacted by phone: 020 8906 9068, email:
info@addiss.co.uk or visit their website at
www.addiss.co.uk
Further background information is available on ADHD and the new survey findings.
References
1. IPSOS Health, ADHD Survey 2004: UK. July 2004
2. Adelphi Research UK. Family Stress Points ADHD Research. June 2004
3. American Psychiatric Association. DSM-IV Text Revision. 2000: 85-93
AMX297 October 2004
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