May Mental Health Awareness Month

More than two-thirds of individuals with ADHD have at least one other co-occurring mental health condition. These include neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and Tourette syndrome, behavioral and mood disorders like depression and oppositional defiant disorder, and other conditions including anxiety, sleep disorders or substance use problems. The resources below focus on complex ADHD, the symptoms involved when various conditions coexist with ADHD, and the possible treatments for these mental health conditions.

Conference Recordings

2022 Annual International Conference on ADHD

ADHD and the Anxiety Spectrum: Effective, Evidence-Based Strategies for Managing Worry, Social Distress, Perfectionism, and Procrastination in Children, Teens, and Young Adults

Sharon Saline, PsyD, describes how anxiety works in the brain and body and shares practical tools for addressing general anxiety and related conditions.

Other sessions and handouts from the 2022 Annual International Conference on ADHD are available, including these:

  • ADHD and Trauma
    Tonya Miles, PsyD, explores the impact of trauma impact on individuals with ADHD, the vulnerabilities they experience, and treatment strategies for co-occurring ADHD and trauma.
  • Neurology, Trauma and Substance Use: A Systemic Dilemma
    Mary K. Dolson, MSW, gives insights into the experience of individuals affected by the intersection of neurology, trauma, and substance use, and how their needs can be met by mental health providers, coaches, and educators.
  • Effective Responses to Challenging Behaviors: Staying Connected to Children and Teens
    Tish Taylor, PhD, discusses how parents and healthcare providers can increase positive emotional connections with children and teens who have behavioral and emotional challenges.

Articles

Worried and Preoccupied? You Can Reduce Anxiety and Live More ConfidentlyHere are five steps you can take to change your relationship to anxiety and reduce negative thinking.
They Told Me My Child Is DisturbedLearning that your child has a mental health condition in addition to ADHD can be devastating.
ADHD and the Increasing Suicide Rate Among Black YouthNapoleon Higgins, MD, shares insights on ADHD’s possible contribution to the increased number of suicides in Black youth. He makes recommendations about cultural sensitivity for healthcare providers and offers advice for parents on diagnosis, treatment, and suicide prevention.
Interoceptive Awareness and ADHDRoberto Olivardia, PhD, discusses how interoceptive awareness, the perception of sensations from within one’s body, can promote healthy living in a variety of ways.
Is It Time to Evaluate Your Relationship with Alcohol?A CHADD volunteer leader shares tips on ways to cut back from alcohol and where to find support.
Half of Children Who Need Mental Health Care Don’t Get ItEarly intervention can make a difference in the life of a child struggling with mental health, but lack of access to mental health care or persisting stigma can prevent parents from finding help for their children.
When Depression Co-Occurs with ADHDEarly intervention can make a difference in the life of a child struggling with mental health, but lack of access to mental health care or persisting stigma can prevent parents from finding help for their children.
Green Time for ADHDResearch shows that children and adults who spend time in nature increase their ability to pay attention while lowering their levels of stress and anxiety.

Webinars

When Smart Children, Teens, and Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum have ADHDClinical psychologist Thomas E. Brown offers examples of children, teens, and young adults on the autism spectrum with average or above average intelligence who also have ADHD. He describes how they can be provided assessments and helpful treatment for ADHD.
Excited and Engaged: Strategies and Solutions for Social Anxiety in Children and Teens with ADHDSharon Saline, PsyD, shows parents how to assist children in learning how to participate more fully in social situations with greater confidence and less self-criticism. She offers practical tools for teaching kids how to engage more effectively with peers and adults at school, at home, and in life.
ADHD and Anxiety at School: For EducatorsPsychologist Kimberly Harrison presents information to help teachers identify challenges with ADHD and anxiety, providing proven ways to help students be successful at school.
How to Manage ADHD and AnxietyAnxiety can affect symptoms of ADHD, causing decreased attention and concentration and resulting in more distractibility. This video discusses why ADHD and anxiety occur together, how ADHD and anxiety affect each other, and offers strategies for managing and treating anxiety.

Podcasts

Mental Health for Teens with ADHDCarolyn Lentzsch-Parcells, MD, talks about the signs and causes of different mental health disorders in teens, the common treatment plans available, and the strategies that can support teens who are facing mental health challenges.
ADHD, Self-Harm, and SuicideMichael Meinzer, PhD, provides insight into the difference between suicidal ideation and self-harm, triggers, warning signs, treatment, and appropriate responses to help someone with suicidal thoughts.
Treatment of Complex ADHDTanya Froehlich, MD, discusses complex ADHD, the conditions that often coexist with ADHD, and the recommended treatments based on research for each of the conditions.

Additional Resources

Not Just ADHD? Helping Children with Multiple ConcernsThis CDC web page presents information on the symptoms of ADHD and complex ADHD. It provides parents with guidance on what they can do to help their children who have these symptoms.



Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
ADHD and Mental Health