Today we have the honor of introducing you to the authors of the book "You are not alone", a hopeful testimony about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They are, as we anticipated when commenting on his work, María Jesús Ordóñez and Roberto Álvarez-Higuera.
María Jesús Ordóñez is a primary care pediatrician and Roberto Álvarez-Higuera, entrepreneur and editor. They are parents who have lived in the first person the consequences of their child suffering from ADHD.
His son was diagnosed late, at age 14, for various diagnostic errors and for the mistakes parents often make in such a situation.
His work offers answers to numerous questions that many parents probably have, and we want to take advantage of these lines to ask them about the disorder and their experience as connoisseurs of it.
I would like you to tell us how you came to know that your son suffered from ADHD. Was it a long road? When did you start to suspect it?
It was a late diagnosis, but the problems began at 7-8 years. From there began what we call "long pilgrimage" until reaching the diagnosis.
Why is an early diagnosis of ADHD so important? What can happen to people who are not diagnosed?
Because time runs against these children. It is a disabling and chronic disorder (up to 60-80% maintain symptoms in adulthood) and involves a deterioration of school, family and social relationships. We talk about happiness, about the future of our children.
We read in "You are not alone" that the first clear manifestations of suffering from the disorder may appear between the ages of six and nine. Are there signs that should alert the parents of younger children?
Yes there are symptoms that can alert in preschool age, but in many cases it can be normal at these ages, so it is more complex.
The work insists that the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is clinical. What does this fact entail?
It has to be performed by a specialist, based on a detailed medical history, assessing a whole series of symptoms and the deterioration presented by the patient and his family. A differential diagnosis must also be made with other pathologies.
Are there many children with the undiagnosed disorder? What can you suppose in your childhood and in your future life?
There is still underdiagnosis, and these children who remain without dignifying can have a life full of personal and social failures and problems. It is our responsibility, as parents and as citizens.
On the opposite side, is it true that there are many children diagnosed with ADHD wrongly?
There may be erroneous diagnoses, as in all pathologies.
I wonder if it is not dangerous to generalize the medication that would do well to people who truly suffer from the disorder but would be unnecessary for those other cases.
As with other medications.
There are some agencies that advise mild medication for children and only in extreme cases and never before five years. What is your opinion?
It is the specialist who determines the treatment pattern to follow. Each patient is different and always has to be multidisciplinary (doctor and psychosocial support). In the case of children under 5-6 years it is advisable to start with support, but there are extreme cases that require medication.
And what do you think about other alternatives to drugs for the treatment of ADHD?
There is no scientific evidence
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is largely inherited. In your case, when diagnosing your son, you understood that one of you also suffered from the disorder, Roberto. What did that discovery give you emotionally?
I have no words to explain it. It really is very complex and very simple at the same time, but everything started to fit into my life.
One of the most positive aspects of the work "You are not alone" is that in it we find your own experience. Therefore, I consider the advice you can give to families valuable. I would like to end this interview with your recommendations for those parents who suspect that their child has ADHD and for those who have already confirmed it.
Reading our book can be a great help for everyone. And always remember to live it from understanding and love.
Up to this point the interview with the authors of the book on ADHD "You are not alone", María Jesús Ordóñez and Roberto Álvarez-Higuera. Thank you very much for your kindness to answer our questions. We hope that these lines serve to help families with children suffering from this disorder.
