ADHD in the News 2021-07-08

Adult ADHD is linked to numerous physical conditions

Adults with ADHD are at higher risk of a wide range of physical conditions, including nervous system, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and metabolic diseases, according to a large register-based study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in The Lancet Psychiatry. "Identifying co-occurring physical diseases may have important implications for treating adults with ADHD and for benefiting the long-term health and quality of life of patients," says lead author Ebba Du Rietz, postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet.



People with ADHD and multiple psychiatric diagnoses stop their ADHD treatment more often

A research study from the The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research iPSYCH shows that people with ADHD, who also have another psychiatric diagnosis, are more likely to stop taking their ADHD medicine...According to research, although stimulants work for the majority of people with ADHD, the medications sometimes can cause side effects, and up to fifty per cent stop taking their ADHD medications within two years of beginning the treatment.



ADHD and the eyes: What is the link?

Some eye conditions are more common in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These include refractive errors, such as astigmatism, and convergence insufficiency, which makes it difficult for the eyes to remain aligned when looking at nearby objects...In this article, we look at ADHD and the eyes in more detail, including the relationship with visual impairments, whether ADHD causes blurry vision, and what can help with these conditions.



ADHD and ‘Laziness’: What’s Really Going On?

In reality, people with ADHD aren’t lazy. This myth tends to come from misunderstandings about how ADHD affects people. The low motivation sometimes experienced by people with ADHD is just one of many symptoms associated with this condition...Maybe you don’t meet the criteria for ADHD — so what else could be making it harder for you to feel motivated and focused?



Adult ADHD and Impulsivity

KEY POINTS: Impulsivity is one of the three main diagnostic symptom domains for ADHD. Impulsivity is defined as acting without forethought. Even though it is a symptom of ADHD, the problems it causes are much more wide-ranging than is typically appreciated. Coping with impulsivity and adult ADHD requires thinking ahead and planning for how to avoid or manage risky situations.



What’s the Link Between ADHD and Sleep Disturbances?

Having trouble getting to sleep, staying asleep, and sticking to a regular sleep routine are common challenges among adults living with ADHD...But what is the link between sleep trouble and ADHD symptoms? Experts are not yet clear on the answer.



When ADHD and Anxiety Occur Together

It’s not uncommon for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to also have symptoms of anxiety. In fact, nearly half of adults who have ADHD also have an anxiety disorder. The conditions have some similar symptoms, which might make it difficult to tell them apart. This also might complicate diagnoses and treatment plans. There’s a strong link between ADHD and anxiety, but with the right management plan, you can create a strategy to cope with one or both of them.



Know the Differences Between ADHD and Narcissism

KEY POINTS: There are distinct differences between ADHD and NPD. A person with ADHD may be overly apologetic for his behavior. People with NPD may have ego-syntonic personalities.