ADHD in the News 2021-11-18
Adults with ADHD four times more likely to have generalized anxiety disorder
A new nationally representative study published online in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that one in four adults aged 20-39 with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Those with ADHD were four times more likely to have GAD at some point in their life, when compared to those without ADHD.
Neuro-Psychological Testing for Pediatric ADHD
Theresa R. Cerulli, MD: Oftentimes I’m asked if neuropsychological testing is needed to diagnose ADHD [attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder]. You may be surprised to hear the answer is no. The sensitivity and specificity of being able to rule in or rule out whether the patient has ADHD is in the 65th or so percentile. In other words, neuropsychological testing isn’t great at making this diagnosis, nor is it a required step in doing so.
Research Shows Magic Tricks May Boost Self-Esteem in Children and Adolescents with ADHD
A recent study by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) found that teaching magic tricks to children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can help promote confidence and enhance self-esteem. The single-group study, published in Health Psychology Research, followed 6 children and adolescents aged 8.6-14.3 years as they participated in the UAB Magic Camp, a virtual magic camp program designed for children with disabilities.
Physical activity interventions may improve symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
1. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess the impact of physical activity (PA) interventions on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 2. PA may improve ADHD symptoms, particularly those related to inattention. Evidence Rating Level: 1 (Excellent)
Is ADHD overdiagnosed and overtreated?
A popular opinion in the press coverage of ADHD is that doctors both overdiagnose and overtreat the condition, especially in children with behavioral difficulties...Seeking care from a qualified provider, using specific diagnostic criteria, and ruling out other potential diagnoses can reduce the risk of ADHD overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis.
Qbtech Launches Interactive U.S. Telehealth Map for ADHD Practitioners
Available at www.qbtech.com/telehealth-adhd...The map utilizes data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Census Bureau, applying a national average for the adult ADHD diagnostic rate against census data to generate a representative example of the number of prospective ADHD patients in any given area.
This Behavior on Digital Devices Is Linked to Worse Mental Health in Children
Media multitasking, rather than total amount of time spent on digital media, reflected children's stress levels, attention spans, and sleep, according to a small study of 8- to 12-year-olds...Video gaming, on the other hand, reduced levels of stress and improved attention control, the study group wrote in PLOS One.
Neuroscientists explore mysterious ‘events’ in the brain that open new avenues for understanding brain injuries and disorders
Using a new model of brain activity, computational neuroscientists are exploring striking bursts of activity in the human brain that have not been examined before. These bursts may have potential to serve as biomarkers for brain disease and conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, dementia, and ADHD...To begin investigating the workings of these mysterious events, the team built a computational model...The paper outlining the model and describing how it compares to the real brain was published in the November 16 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.