The ADHD Evidence Project

International Consensus Statement

The International Consensus Statement curates key scientific discoveries from the past 20 years. It provides current and accurate information about ADHD supported by a substantial and rigorous body of evidence.

208

Statements about ADHD strongly supported by medical research.

80

Authors from 27 countries wrote the Consensus Statement.

366

Colleagues who have read and endorsed this manuscript.

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Non-medication treatments for ADHD are less effective than medication treatments for ADHD symptoms, but are frequently useful to help problems that remain after medication has been optimized."
The stimulant medications for ADHD are more effective than non stimulant medications but are also more likely to be diverted, misused, and abused."
The adverse effects of medications for ADHD are typically mild and can be addressed by changing the dose or the medication."
Treatment with ADHD medications reduces accidental injuries,traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, cigarette smoking, educational underachievement, bone fractures, sexually transmitted infections, depression, suicide, criminal activity, and teenage pregnancy."
Regulatory agencies around the world have determined that several medications are safe and effective for reducing the symptoms of ADHD as shown by randomized controlled clinical trials."
Studies of economic burden show that ADHD costs society hundreds of billions of dollars each year, worldwide."
People with ADHD are at increased risk for low quality of life, substance use disorders, accidental injuries, educational underachievement, unemployment, gambling, teenage pregnancy, difficulties socializing, delinquency, suicide, and premature death."
People with ADHD are at increased risk for obesity, asthma, allergies, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep problems, psoriasis, epilepsy, sexually transmitted infections, abnormalities of the eye, immune disorders, and metabolic disorders."
Neuro imaging studies find small differences in the structure and functioning of the brain between people with and without ADHD. These differences cannot be used to diagnose ADHD."
People with ADHD often show impaired performance on psychological tests of brain functioning, but these tests cannot be used to diagnose ADHD."
ADHD is rarely caused by a single genetic or environmental risk factor but most cases of ADHD are caused by the combined effects of many genetic and environmental risks each having a very small effect."
ADHD is more common in males and occurs in 5.9% of youth and 2.5% of adults. It has been found in studies from Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, Asia, the Middle East, South America, and North America."
When made by a licensed clinician, the diagnosis of ADHD is well-defined and valid at all ages, even in the presence of other psychiatric disorders, which is common."
Regulatory agencies around the world have determined that several medications are safe and effective for reducing the symptoms of ADHD as shown by randomized controlled clinical trials."

Recently Asked
Questions

Questions from My Latest Reddit AMA

Is it true that with age, hyperactivity reduces? What advice could you give to someone with ADHD to avoid reaching the state of executive dysfunction?

No diet has been shown to improve symptoms of ADHD.

Hyperactivity usually diminishes with aging

The best advice for someone with ADHD is to seek an evidence-based treatment for the disorder.

Do you believe that people with ADHD can always strive to improve themselves and their lifestyle even without medication, all while still being satisfied and mentally healthy with the way they live?

Some with ADHD can do well without medication but if they do not try medication they will never know if they can do better. But if they are living a live without distress or disability caused by symptoms, then medication is not needed.

Has there been any research to suggest a connection between blood pressure and ADHD?

Yes, people with ADHD are at greater risk for hypertension than those w/o ADHD. The stimulant medications also raise blood pressure but even w/o stimulants those with ADHD are at risk for hypertension.

What are your thoughts on Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria as it relates to ADHD? I hear it banded about a lot as a possible symptom of ADHD without much evidence.

It is not a symptom of ADHD

What are some common misconceptions you see today as a result of misinformation on social media? How common is it for people with ADHD to also have antisocial personality disorder?

There are many myths about treatment. See my blog: https://www.adhdevidence.org/blog/myths-about-the-treatment-of-adhd

Antisocial personality disorder occurs in people with ADHD more than others but not in most with ADHD. APD is more common in men and is not due to a single gene. Many many genes are involved. Like ADHD it is polygenic. The two disorders share genetic risks.

Treatment should focus on the most impairing symptoms.

Having ADHD and OCD. Are there certain things one can do to help them play nicely together?

Usually, the best approach for coping with two disorders is to have each disorder treated with a well-documented evidence-based treatment. These are available for both ADHD and OCD. Cognitive behavior therapy can address the issues unique to the co-occurrence of the disorders.

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“The adverse effects of medications for ADHD are typically mild and can be addressed by changing the dose or the medication.”