Cognitive Functions among Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) & Emotional Disorders.

Objectives: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Emotional Disorders (ED) afflict young children and adolescents significantly and children with these psychiatric disorders clearly have impairment in cognitive functions. The present study aims to study the impairment in cognitive functions (Focused Attention & Executive Function) among children with ADHD and ED compared to normal control. The study further aims to study the variation in the cognitive functions with severity of the illness. Method: Twenty diagnosed ADHD children meeting the ICD-10 criteria for ADHD and twenty children having Emotional Disorders (ED) meeting the ICD-10 criteria under F-93 were assessed on the measures of Focused Attention and Executive Function and compared with twenty age and education matched normal control group. Results: Children with ADHD and ED performed poorly on the measures of Focused Attention and Executive Function compared to normal control, however, the severity of illness was not identified as a factor contributing to the impairment in cognitive functioning. Conclusion: Inattention and impairment in executive functions are not restricted to children with ADHD alone, but are also manifested in children with ED. Both the groups (Children with ADHD and ED) can be placed in juxtaposition with regard to their pattern of cognitive impairment. However, the difference lies in relation to the degree of impairment, as children with ADHD demonstrate greater deficit in their cognitive functioning as compared to those with EDs. Thus, inattention does not always indicate that the child stands in the crowd of ADHD rather the clinicians and researchers need to look for the other possible childhood disorders that are likely to contribute to the impairment in executive functions and attentional abilities of the child

Cognition Levels of Attendants of Patients with an acute relapse of Psychosis - Differences Immediately Prior to and Post Admission.

Background - Mental illness in a family member has an adverse impact on overall wellbeing of other caregivers. Aims - To study the cognition level of attendants of acutely relapsed psychotic patients. Methods - Two matched groups of 30 attendants each ,of acutely relapsed psychotic patients, who differed on admission status of their patients were administered MMSE and their cognition levels were compared. Results - Cognition level of attendants of acutely relapsed psychotic patients was found to be lower than that of the general population. 40% of attendants awaiting admission and 7% of attendants who had their wards admitted had at least mild cognitive deficit. Further, a likelihood of lower cognition level in attendants awaiting admission as compared to attendants who had had their wards admitted was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion - Attendants of acutely relapsed psychotic patients have a lower cognition level prior to admission and this fact may have implications on deciding the ideal time to obtain history from the attendants and to give them advice and instructions on patient care.