Premium
The synergistic effects of stimulants and parental psychotherapy in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Author(s) -
STIEFEL I,
DOSSETOR D
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1754.1998.00248.x
Subject(s) - medicine , anxiety , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , depression (economics) , psychiatry , separation anxiety disorder , adverse effect , clinical psychology , pediatrics , anxiety disorder , economics , macroeconomics
A 5‐year‐old boy presented with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder and separation anxiety disorder. The clinical assessment revealed longstanding parent‐child relationship problems, ongoing family stress, and a chronic level of low grade depression in the mother. The treatment approach consisted of drug treatment of the child and long‐term psychotherapy of the mother. At termination symptoms associated with ADHD were markedly reduced and parent‐child relationship problems were no longer evident. It is argued that in a subgroup of children family stress and attachment difficulties may be involved in the development of ADHD. These difficulties should be considered separately in the treatment of children with ADHD, especially if still present after the symptomatic treatment. The treatment outcome raises the question whether or not certain symptoms attributed to ADHD may be reversible, and the long‐term adverse outcome of the condition preventable.