Walmart opens door for mental disorder

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Walmart opens door for mental disorder

Retailer to provide kiosk for information on ADHD, medicine

Saturday, September 4, 2010 02:55 AM

By Misti Crane

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

By now, Americans are used to encountering health-care messages in the mall or

grocery store.

Flu shots are everywhere. Information on diabetes and other common conditions

isn't hard to find.

But it still might surprise some people when Walmart stores begin offering

mental-health help this month.

On Sept. 18 and 19, Walmart customers will find information on attention-deficit

hyperactivity disorder at the Columbus store at 3900 Morse Rd. and at stores in

Center, Reynoldsburg, Canal Winchester and sville.

These " awareness centers " are being set up in partnership with Shire

Pharmaceuticals, which makes one of the medications approved for treating the

disorder.

The kiosks will include guides on how to recognize signs and symptoms of ADHD in

children. Doctors will not be available to discuss concerns, but customers will

be encouraged to make appointments with their doctors if they have more

questions, said Kara Holmes, a Shire spokeswoman.

Mental-health experts welcome more information on ADHD but caution that actual

diagnosis is complex, and the decision to enter into treatment should be made

carefully with the help of a doctor who understands the disorder and the various

medications that can be used to treat it.

Any effort to identify those suffering from a condition through a list of signs

and symptoms will catch more people than those who actually have the disorder,

said Dr. Coury, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at

Nationwide Children's Hospital.

He said the kiosks will be useful as long as people use them as a starting

point.

" It does take careful evaluation, or people can be misdiagnosed or

over-diagnosed, " Coury said.

A careful evaluation should include interviews with the child, the parents and

other adults who know the child, including teachers, he said.

An estimated 3 percent to 7 percent of the population has ADHD, Coury said.

Moskow Sigal, executive director of Mental Health America of lin

County, said she welcomes educational materials in retail settings.

" A lot of times, (ADHD) goes undiagnosed because parents think kids are

supposed to be wild and running around the room. Anytime you can educate folks

about some possible treatments, it's a good thing, " she said.

The Walmart kiosks will focus on children but might also be helpful for those

adults who suffer from ADHD and don't realize it, Sigal said.

Like Coury, Sigal said nobody should make a snap diagnosis about ADHD.

" It's important to explore all the possibilities that may explain the child's

behavior. It could be a depression, or a family going through job loss or

divorce. "

She applauded Walmart for partnering with Shire to educate customers and

possibly help people seek help and reduce the stigma associated with mental

illness.

mcrane@...

What is ADHD?

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition seen in both children

and adults. It is believed to be caused by brain chemistry, specifically

substances that help transmit brain messages. Symptoms can vary by person and

generally fall into two categories: those linked to hyperactivity, and those

linked to inattention.

A child with impulsive behaviors linked to hyperactivity might show the

following signs:

• Fidgeting

• Leaving seat when shouldn't

• Running or climbing inappropriately

• Talking excessively

• Difficulty playing quietly

• Always on the go

• Blurting out answers

• Having trouble waiting turn

• Interrupting

A child with inattention problems might exhibit the following behaviors:

• Difficulty following through on instructions

• Difficulty keeping attention on tasks or play

• Losing things at school and home

• Not listening

• Failing to give close attention to detail

• Seeming to be disorganized

• Difficulty with tasks needing long-term effort

• Forgetful

• Easily distracted