{"id":100969,"date":"2017-09-06T00:53:17","date_gmt":"2017-09-05T22:53:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/black-people-dont-get-adhd\/"},"modified":"2017-09-06T00:53:17","modified_gmt":"2017-09-05T22:53:17","slug":"black-people-dont-get-adhd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/black-people-dont-get-adhd\/","title":{"rendered":"Black people don\u2019t get ADHD"},"content":{"rendered":"

Black people don\u2019t get ADHD<\/a>: <\/p>\n

\"\"Attention Deficity Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects all ages and sectors of the population equally, say experts in the field \u2013 and myths and misconceptions to the contrary are a barrier to diagnosis.<\/p>\n

Diagnostic biases in the US show almost 12% diagnosis in white children, while only 6-8% for Latino and African American children respectively. And almost 75% of adults with ADHD remain undiagnosed, as it\u2019s still believed to be a childhood condition \u2013 even though experts now agree it\u2019s a neurodevelopmental condition that persists into adulthood. This reality is mirrored locally, as psychiatrists see race and age-related ADHD stigma in action.<\/p>\n

Child psychiatrist Dr Ursula Kediemetse (Kedi) says there\u2019s a poor understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders, and a specific misconception exists that ADHD doesn\u2019t affect black children. Dr Kedi has encountered black families in which parents are surprised their child might have ADHD \u2013 or even refuse to accept it.<\/p>\n

\u201cADHD is extremely common in children \u2013 in my experience, affecting more than 5%. Left undiagnosed, the condition has far-reaching consequences for the individual into their teens and adult life. It impacts their ability to learn, interact socially and function within the family unit,\u201d explains Dr Kedi.<\/p>\n

This can be compounded when the parents of the child don\u2019t believe it\u2019s possible for their child to have the condition in the first place \u2013 as Dr Kedi has experienced.<\/p>\n

Other challenges include the necessity for accurate reporting of symptoms by parents and caregivers for diagnosis (across all race groups) and this can be variable and even contradictory. Added to this challenge is commonly missed diagnosis in girls, who don\u2019t always present with outward, noticeable symptoms, like boys do, and tend to withdraw and become quiet daydreamers.<\/p>\n

Dr Kedi frequently treats young patients whose parents believe it\u2019s simply a behavioural problem to outgrow.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s essential to increase awareness of the neurophysiological cause of ADHD amongst those impacted by it \u2013 either parents of the child with ADHD, or the individual themselves. With the knowledge that it can\u2019t \u2018disciplined out\u2019 and that it\u2019s a pervasive condition, stigmas around ADHD can be removed, which means access to treatment for those who so desperately need it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Education and awareness is key in helping individuals with ADHD be diagnosed and treated. Helpful resources, like the MyADHD self-assessment tool and blog posts on how to deal with ADHD throughout the lifespan, can provide a deeper understanding of ADHD. For more information about ADHD, visit www.myadhd.co.za.<\/p>\n

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