310,000 young Thais are hyperactive

310,000 young Thais are hyperactive

BANGKOK - About 310,000 Thai youngsters have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), many of them, because their mothers had been smoking and drinking while they were pregnant, according to the Ministry of Public Health.

Photo by Apichit Jinakul

Deputy Public Health Minister Cholanan Srikaew said on Monday that the hyperactive children are mostly boys. They cannot concentrate for long and are rash and unruly.

Out of five million Thai children studying in grades 1 to 5, an estimated 310,000 (6.5%) have ADHD. About 5% of children around the world have this psychiatric and neurobehavioural disorder, Mr Cholanan said.

If they are not treated, they risk having problems that are costly both to themselves and society, he added.

Department of Mental Health director-general Wachira Pengchan said ADHD symptoms usually appear before the age of seven. Children of women who had been smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages when pregnant often suffer from the disorder.

Dr Wachira said children with ADHD are very playful and lack focus and self-control.

Parents who suspect that their children might suffer from ADHD can call Department of Mental Health at two hotlines 1667 and 1323 for assistance.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (11)