A new study has investigated how different medications and therapies compare with placebos in treating ADHD symptoms. Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN’s Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being .
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, was long thought to be a disorder that only affected children. But now it’s well established that the symptoms can persist into adulthood — and a large new study has assessed which treatments may be most effective at alleviating them.
Stimulant medications, and atomoxetine (a type of antidepressant), were more effective than placebos at reducing core ADHD symptoms during a 12-week period, found the study published Tuesday in the journal Lancet Psychiatry . Core symptoms of the neurodevelopmental disorder are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, said study author Dr. Samuele Cortese, professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Southampton in England, in a Tuesday press briefing hosted by the Science Media Centre.
Prior to conducting this study, Cortese and several other study authors had various types of affiliations — such as for consulting or research — with pharmaceutical companies, some of which manufacture ADHD medications. But the affiliations had no bearing on any aspect of the research, according to the study.
Cortese said about 5% to 7% of children and 2.5% of adults worldwide have ADHD, which stems from underdeveloped or impaired executive function and self-regulation skills, according to Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child. Those skills help people plan, focus attention, remember instructions, multitask and more. The symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity mean people with ADHD may have trouble staying organized, concentrating, managing time or controlling impulses, which can affect all areas of life.
A health care provider determines a diagnosis by assessing whether symptoms are persistent, pervasive and inappropriate according to one’s developmental stage, and whether they interfere with a patient’s daily life. The disorder can also be associated with various additional challenges, such as mental or physical conditions, social problems and a higher risk of premature death .
“It’s a serious condition. It’s not a trivial […]
What’s the best treatment for ADHD? Large new study offers clues
