ADHD in the News 2024-01-11
There are no US clinical guidelines for treating and diagnosing adult ADHD. That may change soon.
Fiona Edwards is 50 years old, but to this day, some of her most traumatic memories are from her elementary school classroom in the Caribbean. As a child with an overactive imagination who struggled to stay organized and to wait her turn, Edwards had a hard time learning as her classmates did. And her principal didn’t waste any opportunity to remind her — and everyone else – that she was “an unteachable dunce,” said Edwards, who now lives in Baltimore.
More adults sought help for ADHD during pandemic, contributing to drug shortages
Prescriptions for ADHD treatments surged among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to fuel lingering shortages that frustrate parents and doctors. New prescriptions for stimulants used to treat the condition jumped for young adults and women during a two-year window after the pandemic hit in March 2020, according to a study published Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry.
Putting your toddler in front of the TV? You might hurt their ability to process the world around them, new data suggests
Summary: Babies and toddlers exposed to television or video viewing may be more likely to exhibit atypical sensory behaviors, such as being disengaged and disinterested in activities, seeking more intense stimulation in an environment, or being overwhelmed by sensations like loud sounds or bright lights, according to recent data.
Annual Conference Highlights New Research, Advances in ADHD
Great speakers, importance information for your clinical practice, and networking activities are among the top reasons to attend the American Professional Society of ADHD [attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder] and Related Disorders (APSARD) 2024 Conference, Gregory W. Mattingly, MD, APSARD President Elect, told Psychiatric TimesTM in an exclusive interview.
Patient Information Fact Sheet — Symptom Comparison: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder vs Autism Spectrum Disorder
As it can often be difficult to distinguish between ADHD and autism, we’ve developed a helpful and informative fact sheet for clinicians to share with patients and their caregivers.
How diet affects ADHD symptoms: Updated patient guidance for clinicians
Key Takeaways: Dietary patterns that emphasize nutrient-rich, unprocessed foods appear protective against ADHD symptoms. Micronutrients and probiotics may help with ADHD, but there’s not enough evidence to support supplementation without a deficiency. Doctors can cautiously suggest an elimination diet to determine if an individual has specific dietary triggers.
Study: Children commonly exposed to major drug interactions
About 21% of children covered by Medicaid in 2019 were exposed to a potentially major interaction between multiple prescription drugs, according to a new study.
Comorbid Tics, Stereotypies Common in Typically Developing Patients, Review Finds
Tics and stereotypies often co-occur in otherwise typically developing pediatric patients, according to a systematic literature review published in Neurological Sciences.
ADHD symptoms are reduced after ayahuasca retreat experience, study finds
A pilot study investigating a group of adults visiting an ayahuasca retreat in Peru found significant reductions in their levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity following their stay. These reductions occurred regardless of the duration of the retreat or the number of ayahuasca ceremonies attended. The paper was published in Drug Science.
Study: High-school students with neurodevelopmental disorders experience worse premenstrual syndrome symptoms
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a relatively common condition that affects most women who menstruate, at some point in their lives. Typically, PMS can cause a variety of symptoms, including mood swings, irritability, bloating, and fatigue. Moreover, PMS tends to worsen the symptoms of certain psychiatric and personality disorders.
Three-quarters of autistic children also have other types of neurodivergence, finds study
Three quarters of children (76.2%) who were diagnosed with autism also had traits of other neurodivergent neurotypes—including traits associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning and motor differences—according to a new study.
Hearing the voices of Indigenous people with neurodevelopmental disabilities
Indigenous Peoples with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) and mental health challenges are among the most marginalized groups in the country. NDDs include things like autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Research points to persistent health inequities, and mental health research has tended to overemphasize suicide and substance use in Indigenous populations.
Neurodivergent educators reflect on teaching in the Pacific Northwest
Teachers with ADHD or autism are able to understand and advocate for the specific needs of their students. But, they can also face challenges when seeking resources to teach those same students. And, it can be difficult to get accommodations that help neurodivergent teachers do their best work at school.
I went on a mind-boggling journey to get my son’s ADHD medication covered by insurance — twice
Last January, I went to fill my son’s ADHD prescription and was handed a bag with an unfamiliar drug name on it. No mistake, the pharmacist tech said, it was just the generic version.