ADHD in the News 2021-02-25

Lockdowns Are Leaving Kids With ADHD in Crisis

When clinical psychologist Maggie Sibley thinks about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, she worries most about the older teens who may drop out of high school and those kids who may be experiencing depression...In a study published online Feb. 14 in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, Sibley and others looked at a group of 134 adolescents and young adults, and found they reported problems with social isolation, difficulties engaging in online learning, motivation issues and boredom that increased during the pandemic.



Pandemic has ADHD concerns up among parents

The pandemic is leading to more parents looking for help with what they believe are signs of ADHD in their kids. Calls to the help line for the Children and Adults with Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) have increased 62% since the start of the pandemic. More than half of those calls are from parents looking for a doctor who specializes in ADHD.



Research finds college students with ADHD are likely to experience significant challenges

New research from George DuPaul, professor of school psychology and associate dean for research in Lehigh University's College of Education, and colleagues confirms students with ADHD face consequential challenges in succeeding and completing college and predicts ways academic success can be improved.



New Deterrent Stimulants for ADHD

Timothy Wilens, MD, talks about the presentation of the APSARD 2021 conference on ADAIR Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamic Data. More on the presentation can be found here. Dr Wilens is chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and is co-director of the Center for Addiction Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. (video)



Detroit’s Covid vaccination queue is one of first to include people with ADHD, other disabilities

While most Covid-19 vaccination clinics around the country are focused primarily on first responders, essential workers and seniors, the city of Detroit is now offering shots to residents who haven’t made vaccination priority lists almost anywhere else in the country...As for ADHD, advocates note that people with the disorder might not realize they’re too close to others. They might impulsively touch people or things and might get distracted and forget to wash their hands or wear a mask — all behaviors that would put them at higher risk for coronavirus infection.



Methylphenidate Adherence Lower in Girls and Those With Concomitant Therapy

Girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who were prescribed osmotic-release oral system methylphenidate hydrochloride (OROS-MPH) and pediatric patients who had concomitant atomoxetine or hypnotic therapy were at increased risk for poor OROS-MPH adherence. These findings from a retrospective survey were published in Scientific Reports.



Hello, Brains! A Life Spent Helping Others Understand A.D.H.D. Online

Jessica McCabe, creator of the YouTube channel “How to A.D.H.D.,” is not a doctor or medical professional. At 38, she’s had a variety of professions including stand-up comedian, actor and restaurant server. Through all those years, she has been learning about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which she was diagnosed with at the age of 12. Explaining that information is something she has done on her YouTube channel since 2016.



Recent Developments in Genetic Studies Examining ADHD

In this video, Psych Congress Steering Committee member Vladimir Maletic, MD, MS, answers the question "Have genetic studies shown a correlation between ADHD and any other mental health disorders?" Dr. Maletic is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville. (video + transcript)



What Are the Benefits of Fish Oil for ADHD?

Omega-3 fatty acids are known to support brain health. Here’s what the evidence says about the role they might play in ADHD...Consuming omega-3s is known to be important for brain health and functioning. “These fatty acids are an essential part of nerve cell membranes [the cells’ outer layer], assist in cell communication, and help regulate inflammation,” explains Eugene Arnold, MD, MEd, professor emeritus in the department of psychiatry and behavioral health at The Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus.