Despite decades of research, the media and the internet continue to circulate myths, fallacies, and blatant lies about ADHD. This information war on ADHD stigmatizes affected people, reduces the credibility of providers, and delays or prevents access to treatment. In recent years, these problems have worsened with the ascendancy of "fake news" and "alternative facts" in political life.
We curated the International Consensus Statement on ADHD by systematically reviewing the scientific literature to select studies meeting a very high level of evidence. We limited our curation to two types of evidence: meta-analyses and very large studies. We also provide blogs based on new scientific publications. Keep in mind that novel results, although intriguing, require replication.
Going forward, we will promote the International Consensus Statement on social media, to professional organizations devoted to ADHD, and to the advocacy groups that help people with ADHD and their families, worldwide. We will continue curating new evidence as it is published so that the International Consensus Statement can become a living document. And we will fight the War on ADHD through our current book project and related social media activities.
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.
Statements about ADHD strongly supported by medical research.
Authors from 27 countries wrote the Consensus Statement.
Colleagues who have read and endorsed this manuscript.
Questions from My Latest Reddit AMA
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.
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.
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.
It is not a symptom of ADHD
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.
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.
“The adverse effects of medications for ADHD are typically mild and can be addressed by changing the dose or the medication.”
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