Chapter 42.

Introduction

Student Video Activities for Abnormal Psychology
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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.

ADHD: A Family Problem

Author: Ronald J. Comer

Photo Credit: Westend61 GmbH/Alamy

Princeton University

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42.1 ADHD: A Family Problem

This video case shows how a young boy’s ADHD places a severe strain on his family. The child’s impulsive behavior repeatedly exposes him to danger, as he refuses to obey instructions. A simple shopping trip becomes a nightmarish experience for his weary and, at times, frightened parents. He has been treated by mental health professionals, with little change. As you watch this video, consider the theory that oppositional behavior in ADHD children develops as a response to constantly being reprimanded for behavior they cannot control.

ADHD: A Family Problem

Liam is not like other children.

Liam, just [INAUDIBLE] the door. [INAUDIBLE]

[LAUGHTER]

Shh. Stand here.

Liam! Don't you dare. Come here. Come here and tie up that.

Brian, let me just [INAUDIBLE].

I don't like this.

Liam, this car is coming. Straight here now.

We ought to just start beating them.

[INAUDIBLE]

Because that was frightening when you when running to there.

Give me your hand. Give me your hand. Liam.

Liam is fearless and impulsive. Brian and Elena know that if he sees something across the road, he won't think twice about running towards it, regardless of traffic.

Liam, not too far in front please. Come here. First time I've told you, Liam. If I have to keep telling you the same things, you do not go on the ride. Hold my hand. I'm standing here and I'm not moving until you hold my hand. One, two, hold my hand.

I don't need to!

Well, hold the pram then. Thank you. One or the other.

He also rarely does what he is told.

Hold the pram. Second time I've told you, Liam.

[INAUDIBLE]

No.

[GASPS]

I don't like the way talk to me.

I want you to hold the hand because it's very busy. And you'll get lost.

Liam.

Hold the pram now.

I don't want [INAUDIBLE].

I'll tell you one more time, you don't go on the ride. We've not even gotten to [INAUDIBLE], Liam.

Now, now, calm down.

OK, then.

Calm.

I don't want to calm. I want him to hold the pram. That's a simple thing.

[SCREAMING]

Hello!

Liam, not too far in front please.

Liam is constantly on the go. And he never stays with anything for long.

Hold my hand. We're not going in there.

No, I want [INAUDIBLE]. Hi-yah! Hi-yah! Yee!

Surrenders There's no way you could possibly come shopping with the two of them. No. Very, very rarely we come to shop.

No matter how many times Brian and Elena tell him not to, Liam will do the same thing over and over again.

Liam! Brian! Liam don't! Come here now, come here.

[INAUDIBLE]

That frightens me.

Don't [INAUDIBLE]!

That was really frightening me. Get in.

What did he do?

He jumped straight on that wooden edging.

Get in the car now, Liam. Mummy's upset now.

[CRYING]

Get in the car.

Pighead. [INAUDIBLE] Oh, Liam, be quiet, I can get my own bottle and I don't need [INAUDIBLE].

Liam's behavior puts enormous strain on the whole family. Last year, Elena reached crisis point.

Your nerves can only stand so much. And I think that's what happened with me the last year. It was like my body just said, enough's enough really.

[SINGING] Pippin, Pippin in the [INAUDIBLE]. Do you like it, too?

I got so low. Obviously I went to the doctors. The school got involved then. And then it suddenly became-- started taking us serious.

Liam.

I don't like the cold.

Well, you need it on because it'll be cold. I don't want you to be cold. Now listen--

[WHINING]

The rules are [INAUDIBLE], OK? You don't go anywhere apart from [INAUDIBLE] without tell me you're checking with me first. Do you understand? Listen.

Yeah.

Say, yes, Mummy, I understand.

Yes, Mummy, I understand.

Well Daddy's going to come around with you just to check.

Liam, be careful up there OK?

[CRYING]

[MAKING NOISES]

Watch him up there.

Brian and Elena are so concerned about Liam's behavior that they've taken him to see their local child and family mental health unit.

Liam, no. No. No. You've got a big bruise on your face now. No. Come on you two, it's raining. Come on. In you get.

You constantly feel that you're in a no-win situation sometimes because if I say black, Liam will say, white. If you said to him, Liam, don't put your feet on the table, he will put his feet on the table.

Come on. Don't Liam. If you have another one, then you need to go in your bedroom for five minutes. In. Now. Have you forgotten where we're going tomorrow night? In the house now. Liam! House. Now.

[INAUDIBLE]

In the house now.

Stupid idiot.

Get!

Psychologists believe that many ADHD children develop oppositional behavior as a reaction to constantly being told off.

[CRYING]

It's their way of coping when they're being criticized for behavior they simply cannot help.

[CRYING]

You need to go upstairs in your bedroom for five minutes. He had three warnings.

[SCREAMING]

[SOBBING]

Liam, your five minutes only start from when you're quiet.

42.2 Check Your Understanding

Question 42.1

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Correct!
Incorrect.

Question 42.2

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Correct!
Incorrect.

Question 42.3

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Correct!
Incorrect.

Question 42.4

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Correct!
Incorrect.

42.3 Activity Completed!

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