ADHD in the News 2022-02-03

Building social capital is critical for strong relationships. ADHD can get in the way.

While most people think of this disorder as causing difficulties with completing assignments in school or the workplace, it can also lead to a deficit in what experts call “social capital.” “Social capital is the network and goodwill that you have with other people that help you not only accomplish tasks, but also [maintain] important social connections,” said Caroline Maguire, a family coach in Massachusetts and the author of “Why Will No One Play With Me?”



Getting an ADHD diagnosis has gotten easier online. Is that a good thing?

Telehealth has made it easier for people to access treatment, including mental health medication. But that introduces new risks and considerations, too...According to Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), a nonprofit organization for ADHD, women oftentimes only recognize ADHD in themselves after their own children are diagnosed with the highly heritable condition.



Instagram and TikTok pull ads from startup Cerebral linking ADHD to obesity

Meta and TikTok pulled advertisements from a major mental health care startup this week after receiving inquiries from NBC News. The social media platforms found the ads promoted negative body images and contained misleading health claims. One of the ads run by Cerebral...featured a woman surrounded by junk food such as cake, doughnuts and chips. The accompanying text read, “Those who live by impulse, eat by impulse.”



ADHD Associated with Food, Skin and Respiratory Allergy

A recent investigation into children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) found significant associations between the condition and common allergic conditions such as food allergy, respiratory allergy, and skin allergy...The study...was published online in Nutrients.



The pandemic pushed more families to homeschool; many are sticking with it

Elijah was diagnosed with ADHD in the summer of 2021, just before his sixth-grade year. He was back on campus and his school granted him accommodations, such as additional testing times and help with incomplete assignments, but Mozian noticed that Elijah was expected to advocate for himself – and he didn’t want to be singled out. His grades dropped abruptly. Combined with what she saw as a stressful environment of COVID-19 restrictions, Mozian realized that school wasn’t working for her son.



ADHD at Work | Tips if You or a Co-Worker Struggle to Focus

Experts estimate that about eight million adults have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), many of whom are productive and successful at a variety of careers; of course there are still misconceptions and stigmas. However, society’s perceptions of neurodiversity are ever-evolving, and we’re learning more and more about how to harness the challenges and advantages (yes, there are advantages!) of ADHD at work.



CHOP Researchers Use Deep Learning to Find Genetic Causes of Mental Health Disorders in Frequently Understudied African American Population

Minority populations have been historically under-represented in existing studies addressing how genetic variations may contribute to a variety of disorders. A new study from researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) shows that a deep learning model has promising accuracy when helping to diagnose a variety of common mental health disorders in African American patients.



The Paradox of ADHD

KEY POINTS: Studies document continuously rising rates of ADHD diagnoses. Substantial majorities of parents believe that medication should be a last resort for dealing with children’s behavior problems. Skeptical parents may be compelled toward diagnosis by obligations that subtly direct them toward medication treatment.  



Is ADHD Really on the Rise?

Research and media coverage suggest that ADHD rates among children have soared in recent years, but the full picture is much more complicated.