Expert Shares Insights for ADHD Awareness Month
October marks Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month. ADHD is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder, often characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or emotion dysregulation. An estimated 11% of children in the United States—7 million overall—have ADHD. It is also estimated that 4.4%of adults in the United States have ADHD.
We discussed the ADHD diagnosis and treatment landscape with Andrea Chronis-Tuscano, the Joel and Kim Feller Endowed Professor in the Department of Psychology and president of the American Psychological Association’s Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology Division, a renowned expert in the field.
Chronis-Tuscano’s research focuses on understanding early predictors of developmental outcomes for children with ADHD, and developing, evaluating, and implementing treatments which target these early risk and protective factors, to improve the lives of individuals with ADHD across the lifespan.
Chronis-Tuscano shared a few key points for ADHD awareness and action:
ADHD is Very Treatable
“One of the greatest things about ADHD is that we have several evidence-based treatments that are highly effective,” Chronis-Tuscano said. “We all know people with ADHD who have learned to cope with it, found their niche, and are doing very well. That is one of the most promising things about ADHD.”
Treatments can include behavioral and cognitive behavioral therapy; organizational skills training; and stimulant medication. Chronis-Tuscano recommended speaking with a primary care physician or a pediatrician as a first step toward diagnosis and treatment.
“We’re having conversations about ADHD and youth mental health more than ever before,” Chronis-Tuscano said. “This open dialogue is really important if we want to decrease mental health stigma and increase access to treatments.”
Left Untreated, ADHD Can Have Devastating Effects
While many people may know that ADHD can negatively impact academic, occupational, and social functioning, Chronis-Tuscano said that the effects of untreated ADHD can be much more significant.
Noting that some people view ADHD as a relatively mild problem, members of the public severely underestimate the impact that ADHD can have on individuals, families, and society.
“ADHD can lead to depression, to suicide, to substance use, to dropping out of school, and to incarceration,” Chronis-Tuscano said. “Individuals with ADHD have a reduced life expectancy by 10 to 15 years, due to physical and mental health consequences.”
While she said that some people consider ADHD to be “overdiagnosed” or even “an excuse” for being forgetful or unmotivated, this is not the case.
“We need to take ADHD seriously, because the outcomes can be devastating,” Chronis-Tuscano said.
There are Disparities and Barriers to ADHD Treatments
Chronis-Tuscano noted that not everyone has access to “a medical home,” a primary care physician or a pediatric practice where people can take the first steps toward diagnosis or treatment for themselves or their child. Many schools are under-resourced and unable to provide timely evaluation or accommodations for students who are struggling.
Socioeconomic factors, such as lack of access to transportation or insurance coverage, can also be a barrier for people who are seeking ADHD support and treatment programs.
Chronis-Tuscano and other researchers and practitioners are working to identify and address barriers to resources and care, but the uneven landscape is challenging.
Stigma can also be a barrier to anyone facing ADHD, for themselves or their family.
“There can be stigma and mistrust among many groups regarding seeking help for ADHD or any other type of mental health condition,” Chronis-Tuscano said. “People don’t always want to tell the school, or tell their employer—they don’t want the label.”
More research and flexibility are also needed when it comes to understanding ADHD in girls and women, Chronis-Tuscano said, noting that many symptoms and “red flags” were designed with boys and men in mind, and thus parents, teachers, caregivers and medical practitioners are more likely to start diagnosis and treatment plans for boys and men than they are for girls and women.
A Unique ADHD Resource for Terps
Along with Dr. Erin Raashel Jones, Chronis-Tuscano directs the UMD SUCCEEDS College ADHD Clinic. SUCCEEDS stands for: Students Understanding College Choices, Encouraging and Executing Decisions for Success.
Recognizing that 8% of college students have ADHD, SUCCEEDS supports students through weekly group sessions led by a therapist, individualized academic and mental health coaching, supervised study halls, and more.
Utilizing resources such as SUCCEEDS, and taking steps toward obtaining a diagnosis and treatment with a medical professional are critical to both personal health and the overall physical and mental health landscapes in the United States, Chronis-Tuscano said.
“Some people don’t consider ADHD that big of a deal,” Chronis-Tuscano said. “But it is tied to so many important outcomes: mental health and wellness, educational attainment, financial independence…so many people are touched by it.”
Resources
UMD SUCCEEDS College ADHD Clinic
TOOLS Videos with Evidenced-Based Tips for Managing ADHD
National Institutes of Health Factsheet
Effective Child Therapy Overview
Illustration via iStock
Published on Thu, Oct 10, 2024 - 9:48AM