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PERFORMANCE IN SCHOOL

Dennis B. Kottler, MD

Westlake Village, CA

Appointments:   818-991-8376 

Email:   doc@psychiatrix.com

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Students of all ages can have problems in school.  This topic is not just limited to young children.  Sometimes the issues are developmentally related, and may signify a developmental "lag."  In other cases, the problems may relate to specific psychiatric disorders.  A common problem is Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), although this is not the only disorder that can cause a problem in school.

In CHILDREN, the following is an overview of the kinds of symptoms that may arise and some of the possible causes:

• Restless and fidgety behavior and a tendency to disrupt the classroom

                Consider AD/HD

                Consider problems at home - such as substance abuse or other abusive behavior in family members

                Consider Obsessive Compulsive Disorders which can cause inappropriate behavior with disruptive rituals

                Consider Learning Disorders

                Consider "executive function disorders" leading to poor organizational and problem solving skills

• Other causes of Inattentiveness and Absenteeism

                Consider substance abuse

                Consider socialization problems with peers and oppositional issues with authority figures

• Bullying behavior in a young child

                Consider problems in the home, issues of abuse and substance abuse in family members.

                Consider anger issues - often related to issues in the home

• Being the target of bullying behavior and being persistently "teased"

                Consider issues which cause the child to be an "outlier" - someone who doesn't "fit in"

                The child may be developmentally either delayed or advanced relative to peers

                The child may have autistic spectrum disorder

                The child may have socialization issues with peers

                The child may find himself relating better to 'teachers' and other adult figures vs. peers

                The child may have issues relating to gender identity or sexual orientation

In ADOLESCENTS and ADULTS consider the following behaviors and possible causes:

• Problems with focus and a tendency to "drift off" in the classroom

                Consider ADHD - see also Adult ADHD and Adult ADHD Self-Test

                Consider Excessive Daytime Sleepiness - maybe be pathological or due to poor sleep hygiene

                Consider Substance Abuse

• Absenteeism

                Consider Depression

                Consider Excessive Daytime Sleepiness - maybe be pathological or due to poor sleep hygiene                

                Consider ADHD - see also Adult ADHD and Adult ADHD Self-Test

                Consider Substance Abuse

• Lack of Interest and Motivation

               See Lack of Interest and Motivation

The first step is always an assessment.

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Appointments:   818-991-8376 

Email:   doc@psychiatrix.com