ADHD in the News 2017-03-16

Benefits of long-term use of ADHD medications questioned

In a study that followed more than 500 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) into adulthood, extended use of stimulant medication was linked with suppressed adult height but not with reduced symptoms of ADHD. The findings suggest that short-term treatment of ADHD with stimulant medication is well justified by benefits that outweigh costs, but long-term treatment may be associated with growth-related costs that may not be balanced by symptom-related benefits.



Harnessing ADHD for business success

The symptoms of ADHD foster important traits associated with entrepreneurship. That conclusion was reached in a study conducted by an international team of economists, who found that entrepreneurs with ADHD embrace new experiences and demonstrate passion and persistence. Their intuitive decision making in situations involving uncertainty was seen by the researchers as a reason for reassessing existing economic models.



Household chaos makes bringing up children with ADHD more difficult

Researchers often observe inadequate parenting, a negative emotional climate and household chaos in families of children with ADHD. A research group has now explored how these factors interrelate. The result is astounding.



Quality improvement project helps pediatricians diagnose, manage ADHD

A pilot project to improve the care of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) led to a reduction in symptoms as well as increased confidence among pediatricians in diagnosing and managing the disorder. The Chapter Quality Network (CQN) led the project from December 2015 through January 2017 to improve the quality of care processes and outcomes by implementing the Academy’s clinical practice guideline on ADHD."



Gaps in mental health training pose imminent crisis for pediatric care

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 13% of children aged 8 to 15 years in the United States will experience a severe mental disorder at some point in their lives...Left untreated, severe mental health conditions can lead some children to take their own lives...Despite these disturbing statistics, in a 2013 survey conducted by the AAP, 65% of pediatricians believed they lacked the necessary training in the treatment of children with mental health problems, 40% responded they lacked the ability to diagnose mental health problems and more than 50% reported they lacked confidence in their ability to treat these patients.



People More Likely to Complete Therapy Than Drug Treatment

People seeking treatment for mental health conditions are more likely to quit treatment if it involves pharmacological remedies alone, according to a study published in the journal Psychotherapy. The study was a meta-analysis that looked at 186 previous studies of people pursuing treatment for mental health diagnoses.



CBC documentary explores ADHD in adults

Director Michael McNamara decided to make a documentary about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults after learning that a friend and colleague was diagnosed with it at the age of 56. His friend’s diagnosis had upended McNamara’s assumptions about the disorder, which is most commonly diagnosed in school-aged children. Until then, he didn’t know it could affect individuals into adulthood. But as he began researching and conducting interviews for the film, McNamara found the main symptoms, including inattentiveness, procrastination and impulsiveness, seemed all too familiar.