October has been designated Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month.
HONESDALE
October has been designated Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month.
According to the website www.adhdawarenessmonth.org, sponsored by a coalition of national experts, the mission of the month is to educate the public through reliable, evidence-based information regarding this growing health issue.
“The latest data provided by the Centers for Disease Control, shows approximately 11 percent of children aged four to 17 years and 4.4 percent of adults have been diagnosed with ADHD,” stated board certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist Rashesh Dholakia, MD, MPH, from Pike Behavioral Health, part of Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers (WMCHC).
The theme for this year’s ADHD Awareness Month is “The Many Faces of ADHD.” Promoters of the month-long observance stress that a diagnosis of ADHD affects not only the individual with the disorder, but also their families and friends, thus, making community-wide awareness a priority.
Dr. Dholakia indicates “an accurate diagnosis of ADHD should be based on a comprehensive history by a qualified healthcare professional. There is no simple test to diagnose the disorder.”
A detailed Q & A on ADHD provided by Dr. Dholakia can be viewed on Wayne Memorial’s website, www.wmh.org.
Those without internet access may request a copy of the document by calling (570) 253-8390.
WMCHC provides behavioral health services to children and adults in both Honesdale and Lords Valley.
For more information, visit www.wmh.org/WMCHC. To make an appointment with Dr. Dholakia at Pike Behavioral Health, call (570) 775-4081.
Original Article Posted Oct. 9, 2014 at 11:50 AM at www.wayneindependent.com
