ADHD in the News 2024-01-18
Non-White U.S. Kids Get Worse Pediatric Care
Key Takeaways: Non-white kids in the United States receive uniformly worse health care; Inequities exist in neonatal care, emergency care, primary care and mental health or developmental care; Pain management is the most glaring area, with minority children less likely to receive painkillers
Girls, Women Continue to Face Disparities in ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
Girls and women experience an average delay of about 4 years in their diagnosis of and treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), relative to boys and men. Additionally, girls and women have a higher burden of comorbid psychiatric conditions and health care utilization, according to results published in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
Higher acetaminophen intake in pregnancy linked to attention deficits in young children
A new study links increased use of acetaminophen during pregnancy—particularly in the second trimester—to modest but noticeable increases in problems with attention and behavior in 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds. The study adds to a growing body of evidence linking the frequent use of acetaminophen in pregnancy to developmental problems in offspring.
Energy Drinks Linked to ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression In Kids, Young Adults
A new research review adds to a growing body of evidence demonstrating the harmful health effects of energy drink consumption, particularly among people 21 and under. Young people who consume energy drinks may experience sleep disturbances and have an increased risk of ADHD, anxiety, and mood changes, and in severe cases, heart complications. Health experts recommend avoiding energy drinks due to the negative side effects. Healthier beverage options include water, and if kids are drinking caffeine, it should be in low amounts.
Amid a national shortage, the US Adderall black market is booming
Peruse an online marketplace like Craigslist, and you’ll find coded classified ads for “Study Help” and “Study Hall”, or calls looking for a “Study Buddy”. Despite the scholarly language, these aren’t people looking for pre-final cram session. They’re plugs for Adderall: the trade name for a combination of amphetamine salts long prescribed as a first-choice treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
APSARD Leads the Charge for Adult ADHD Guidelines
In an exclusive interview, Psychiatric Times spoke with David W. Goodman, MD, about the importance of the first US adult ADHD guidelines and APSARD’s role in this landmark endeavor. Goodman is hosting a town hall discussion of the adult ADHD guidelines at the upcoming APSARD 2024 Conference.
Why are so many adults just now being diagnosed with ADHD?
Rates of adult ADHD have jumped in the last two decades. Researchers are exploring whether 24/7 use of technology may be contributing.
Transforming ADHD Care: Viloxazine ER vs Atomoxetine Roundtable Discussion
In this roundtable discussion focused on the "Extended-Release (ER) Viloxazine Compared With Atomoxetine for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)" study published in July 2023 in volume 37 of CNS Drugs, experts Dr Gregory Mattingly, Dr Richard Price, and Dr Birgit Amann examine the evolving ADHD treatment landscape. They compare viloxazine ER with atomoxetine, offering insights into a range of current treatments, which include both psychostimulants and nonstimulants.
Q&A: Identifying the barriers to earlier autism and ADHD diagnosis
Diagnostic delay is a major concern for children and young people with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—and also for their loved ones. The delay is the gap between first concerns about a child's development, and their eventual diagnosis. In some cases this can be more than five years.
Study links cord blood lipid levels to early ADHD and autism symptoms
In a recent study published in eBioMedicine, researchers evaluated the relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptomatology and the cord blood lipidome at the age of two years.
THC and Adolescents: An Overlooked Issue in Youth Mental Health
Regular THC use in adolescence is not a benign activity—it can have life-changing consequences. Here’s what you need to know.
New Research Shows Mindfulness Can Reduce Impulsivity
KEY POINTS: Practicing mindfulness can reduce impulsivity and emotional reactivity. Mindfulness includes breathing skills, yoga, pausing, and observing inner and outer experiences. Mindfulness changes the brain through neuroplasticity and changes brain structures related to reactivity.
ADHD Symptoms Linked With Physical Comorbidities
Investigators from the French Health and Medical Research Institute (INSERM), University of Bordeaux, and Charles Perrens Hospital, alongside their Canadian, British, and Swedish counterparts, have shown that attention deficit disorder hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity is linked with physical health problems.
What We’re Getting Wrong About Nutrition and Mental Health (Opinion)
A growing body of evidence links the consumption of unhealthy and ultra-processed foods with an increase in mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. A 2022 study found that the more ultra-processed foods a participant consumed, the more likely they were to report anxiety and depression. Other studies have linked poor diet to conditions like ADHD and dementia.