ADHD in the News 2018-02-22
Redesigned survey may help physicians better understand trends in diagnosis, treatment of ADHD
A newly redesigned national survey indicates that the estimated prevalence of ADHD diagnosis does not appear to have increased in the time since previous nationally representative estimates were published. But, a significant proportion of U.S. children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years — estimated at 6.1 million — have been diagnosed with the disorder, which justifies the continued monitoring of treatment received and outcomes of the population, according to the researchers.
New Diagnostic Screen for ADHD Developed Using Machine Learning
Researchers applied a machine-learning algorithm to a newly-updated diagnostic tool, the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), to help doctors quickly and effectively screen and diagnose patients with adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is commonly overlooked. The 6-question screen was first published in JAMA Psychiatry in April 2017, and an extended version was validated in a February study in The Journal of Attention Disorders.
How Can Clinicians Collaborate to Improve ADHD Medication Adherence?
Thomas E. Brown, PhD, presented about this topic at the 2018 Annual Meeting of The American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD) in Washington, DC, in January. Studies show that among both children and adults, there is low adherence to medication treatment for ADHD. Many patients do not take the medications consistently, Brown said, or they don’t get prescriptions refilled. There are several reasons for this, he said in his presentation called "Collaboration Between Prescribers and Other Clinicians In Managing ADHD."
Recognizing Signs of Conduct Disorder in Young Children With ADHD
Behavior disorders such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD) are diagnosed in about 25 percent of children with ADHD, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recognizing the signs and starting treatment for conduct disorder early is important as those with CD who haven’t received treatment may be unable to adapt to the demands of adulthood and continue to have [problems with relationships and holding a job]
No Increased Incidence of ADHD in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) were less likely than the general population to have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),1 failing to support the Lulé, Ludolph, and Ludolph hypothesis2 that the 2 diseases share common pathology, according to the results of a study published in Journal of the Neurological Sciences.
Why people with ADHD can be successful in business
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.
Moms with ADHD Reveal Lessons They’ve Learned in Handling Parenting Challenges
The challenges of parenting when you have ADHD can feel insurmountable. Thankfully, many things can help. Below, moms with ADHD share the biggest lessons they’ve learned.
Reasons People With ADHD Don’t Seek Help
Many people with ADHD go a long, long time without being diagnosed. Sometimes they never get diagnosed. Commonly, this is because they simply don’t know the symptoms of ADHD and no one else recognizes that they have signs of ADHD either, so they live on in not-so-blissful ignorance...Other times, though, people do have an inkling that they might have ADHD, but they don’t seek professional psychological help. Why does this happen? I can think of a few possible reasons.
Cost-Effectiveness of Atomoxetine for Treating Children with ADHD
The investigators of a study published in Current Medical Research and Opinion compared annual healthcare costs among children prescribed either atomoxetine or extended-release guanfacine, 2 non-stimulants that have been used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The findings suggested that patients who initiated atomoxetine monotherapy incurred lower all-cause healthcare costs in a single year by $3086, on average.