According to a recent survey, approximately 25% of adults in the United States believe they may have undiagnosed attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
More and more people are looking for a diagnosis and treatment for ADHD as people become more aware of the signs and symptoms it can cause in adults and women in particular.
According to a recent study, medication for ADHD may improve cognitive function. Another study found that these drug users even had a lower risk of dying too soon.
However, not all of the news is positive: Doctors should be extra cautious when treating their patients because of the link between high doses of ADHD medication and a greater risk of psychosis.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine recently conducted a national survey of 1,000 adults in the United States and found that 25% of respondents suspected they might have undiagnosed attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
This indicates that approximately one in four adults in the United States have the suspicion of having this developmental condition. This may seem like a lot of people, but given how much more people are learning about ADHD and what it actually looks like in adults, especially women, this may not be surprising.
However, the fact that only 13% of respondents stated that they had sought medical advice regarding their suspicions of ADHD worried the researchers who carried out the most recent survey.
In a press release, Justin Barterian, PhD, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, emphasized, “Anxiety, depression, and ADHD — all these things can look a lot like each other, but the wrong treatment can make things worse instead of helping that person feel better and improving their functioning.”
In fact, recent studies have emphasized the importance of medication in the treatment of ADHD, demonstrating that the right medication can enhance cognitive function and even lower the risk of death.
However, there are still some limitations, particularly with regard to some high-dose treatments. What we know so far is as follows:
A review and meta-analysis that was published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews in May 2024 highlighted the benefits that prescription drugs for ADHD can bring to brain health. Methylphenidate and atomoxetine are linked to improved long-term cognitive function.
The study examined both stimulant and non-stimulant medications that can be prescribed to patients with ADHD for long-term treatment. More specifically, it examined the brain effects of atomoxetine (Strattera), a non-stimulant, and methylphenidate (brand names Ritalin, Concerta).
It came to the conclusion that taking both drugs helped speed up reaction time, inhibition, and attention. Additionally, working memory performance improved in methylphenidate users.
This is great news because, among other symptoms, people with ADHD may have trouble staying focused, controlling their impulses, and recalling their memories.
