- A recent study found that approximately 25% of adults in the United States have undiagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- As awareness of the symptoms of ADHD in adults in general and women in particular increases, more and more people are seeking diagnosis and treatment.
- One recent study suggests that ADHD medications may help improve cognitive function. Other researchers found that people taking these drugs had an even lower risk of early death.
- But it’s not all good news. High doses of ADHD medications are also associated with an increased risk of psychosis, so doctors must be very careful when treating their patients.
This means that about 1 in 4 adults in the United States suspect that they have this developmental disorder. While this may seem like a large number, it shows that there is increasing research into the causes and symptoms of ADHD, and a growing awareness of what ADHD really is in adults, especially women. Perhaps not surprising, considering.
However, researchers who conducted a recent survey expressed concern that only 13% of respondents said they had sought advice from a medical professional about suspected ADHD.
“Anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, etc. all seem very similar, but the wrong treatment can make things worse instead of helping the person feel better and function better. There is a gender,” he emphasized. Dr. Justin Bartelianclinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. press release.
This study investigated both stimulant and non-stimulant drugs that doctors can prescribe long-term to treat ADHD. More specifically, they investigated the effects of the stimulant methylphenidate (trade name Ritalin, Concerta) and the non-stimulant atomoxetine (Strattera) on the brain.
They conclude that both drugs help improve attention, inhibition, and reaction time. Additionally, people who used methylphenidate also demonstrated improvements in working memory.
This is great news because people with ADHD can have trouble staying focused, controlling impulses, and recalling memories, among other symptoms.
David Merrill, MD, PhDis a geriatric psychiatrist and director of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute Pacific Brain Health Center at Providence St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, who was not involved in this review. He explained as follows. Today’s medical news:
“Both types of drugs improve cognitive functions such as attention and working memory by optimizing neurotransmitters. [chemical messenger] Increase levels and strengthen brain network connections. ”
Observational study conducted in Sweden. The result is
The study tracked the health data of 148,578 people with ADHD, and doctors followed them for two years after their diagnosis.
They found that ADHD patients taking prescription medications for the condition had a 19% lower risk of premature death compared to untreated ADHD patients.
The researchers took into account all possible causes of death, including non-natural deaths such as accidents, suicides, accidental poisonings, and drug overdoses.
The results of this study suggest that improving cognitive function with appropriate treatment can significantly improve an individual’s quality of life and may also reduce the risk of co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. I am.
However, with all the benefits there are also some caveats, especially regarding the dosage of the drug.
In this study, “high dose” referred to 30 milligrams (mg) or more of amphetamine. Researchers also concluded that people taking prescription amphetamines had a 63% higher risk of developing psychosis or mania.
It is based on a comprehensive analysis of medical data for people ages 16 to 35 who were treated at Massachusetts General Brigham between 2005 and 2019.
“There are no upper dose limits on stimulant labels. Our results show that dose is clearly a factor in psychosis risk and should be the primary consideration when prescribing stimulants.” ” he said. Dr. Lauren Moranis a pharmacoepidemiology researcher at McLean Hospital and the study’s lead author. press release.
“There is limited evidence that prescribed amphetamines are more effective at higher doses. [already] “There is an increased risk of psychosis and mania,” the researchers emphasized.
