NIT Rourkela study reveals health toll on parents of children with disabilities
Surveying over 400 parents of children with autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, and multiple disabilities, the research found that the daily caregiving demands often lead to chronic headaches, fatigue, pain, ulcers, and a feeling of being emotionally worn out.The impact on physical health, the study shows, is not just a result of stress, it can also make stress harder to manage, creating a feedback loop that further weakens a caregiver's capacity.
STUDY URGES CAREGIVER SUPPORT FOR BETTER CHILD DISABILITY The researchers used the biopsychosocial model, which looks at how health is shaped by physical, psychological, and social forces together, not in isolation.Their findings reveal that while physical health is a key factor, financial pressures and social isolation also play major roles. Many parents, especially in India, struggle with stigma, lack of awareness, and minimal access to support services.Speaking on the findings, Dr Biswal said: 'Disability rights are increasingly recognised, but caregivers remain overlooked. Raising such children is not just a parental duty, it's a shared responsibility of the entire community.'The team recommends including caregiver health checks and stress support within paediatric disability services. They also suggest setting up community-based centres where families can access medical, mental, and financial help in one place.At its heart, the study sends a clear message: when caregivers are supported, children thrive. Without that, families are left to cope alone, and too often, they do so in silence.- Ends
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News18
2 days ago
- News18
For people with ADHD, medication can reduce risk of accidents, crime, suicide
Sydney, Aug 16 (The Conversation) Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects around 7 per cent of children and 2.5 per cent of adults. ADHD causes difficulties with holding and sustaining attention over periods of time. People with ADHD also experience hyperactivity and high levels of impulsiveness and arousal. This can make it difficult to plan, coordinate and remain engaged in tasks. ADHD is linked to problems at work, school and home, and to higher rates of mental illnesses such as anxiety. It's also associated with higher rates of long-term harms. Stimulant medication, such as methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, is the most common treatment for managing ADHD symptoms. Most people with ADHD will respond to at least one ADHD medication. But rising rates of prescriptions in recent years have prompted concern for their effectiveness and safety. New research published today in the journal BMJ points to additional longer-term benefits. It found that people with ADHD who took medication were less likely to have suicidal behaviours, transport accidents, issues with substance misuse, or be convicted of a crime. What did the study do? The study tracked 148,581 people who received a new diagnosis of ADHD between 2007 and 2018. The authors used population-based data from Swedish national registers, including everyone aged six to 64 who was newly diagnosed with ADHD. The average age was 17.4 years, and 41per cent were female. Participants either started or did not start medication within three months of their ADHD diagnosis. The authors examined the effects of drug treatment for ADHD on five critical outcomes: suicidal behaviours, substance misuse, accidental injuries, transport accidents and committing crimes. They looked at both first-time and recurrent events. This study used a method that uses data from health records or registries to mimic the design of a randomised controlled trial, in an attempt to reduce bias. The researchers accounted for age, education, other mental and physical illnesses, prior history and use of other drugs to account for factors that may influence results. What did they find? Within three months of receiving an ADHD diagnosis, 84,282 (56.7 per cent) of people had started drug treatment for ADHD. Methylphenidate was the most commonly prescribed drug, accounting for 88.4 per cent of prescriptions. Drug treatment for ADHD was associated with reduced rates of a first occurrence for four out of the five outcomes: a 17 per cent reduction for suicidal behaviours, 15 per cent for substance misuse, 12 per cent for transport accidents and 13 per cent for committing a crime. When the researchers looked at people with recurrent events, the rate reductions associated with ADHD medication were seen for all five outcomes (including accidental injury). The effect of medication was particularly strong when someone had a history of these events happening frequently. This means those with the most severe symptoms may benefit most. Stimulant drugs were associated with lower rates of all five outcomes compared with non-stimulant drugs. It's likely these benefits are associated with improvements in attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. People may be less likely to be distracted while driving, to self-medicate and show impacts from other mental health challenges. What didn't the study do? The large sample size, use of national linked registers and sophisticated design give greater confidence that these findings are due to medication use and not due to other factors. But the study was not able to examine medication dosages or track whether people reliably took their medication as prescribed. It also had no way to track the severity of ADHD symptoms. This means it can't tell us if this helped most people or just some people with severe symptoms. We know that ADHD medication helps most people, but it is not effective for everyone. So, we still need to understand why some people don't benefit from ADHD medication, and what other treatments might also be helpful. Finally, even though the study was rigorous in its design and adjusted for many factors, we can't rule out that other unaccounted factors could be associated with these effects. As prescribing increases, the size of the benefit decreases. A second study, published in June, used the same Swedish national registers and self-controlled case series design. This study also concluded that ADHD medication was associated with reduced risks for self-harm, accidental injuries, transport accidents and committing a crime. However, this study also showed that as prescribing rates increased nearly fivefold between 2006 and 2020, the size of the observed benefits of ADHD medications reduced. While remaining significant, the size of the associations between ADHD medication use and lower risks of unintentional injury, traffic crashes, and crime weakened over this time. This could mean people who are less likely to need ADHD medications are now receiving them. What are the impacts for patients and policymakers? People need to know that if ADHD medications are helpful for them or their children, they might also improve many other areas of life. These findings can also give governments confidence that their recent initiatives and efforts to increase access to ADHD support and treatment may have positive downstream impacts on broader social outcomes. But medications aren't the only ADHD treatment. Medication should only represent one part of a solution, with other psychological supports for managing emotional regulation, executive and organisational skills and problem-solving also beneficial. Psychological therapies are effective and can be used in combination with, or separately from, medication. top videos View all Yet research shows drug treatments are relied on more frequently in more disadvantaged communities, where it's harder to access psychological supports. Policymakers need to ensure medication does not become the only treatment people have access to. People with suspected ADHD need a high-quality diagnostic assessment to ensure they get the right diagnosis and the treatment most suitable for them. (The Conversation) SKS GRS GRS (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 16, 2025, 12:45 IST News agency-feeds For people with ADHD, medication can reduce risk of accidents, crime, suicide Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Paracetamol use in pregnancy linked to newborn neurodevelopment risks: Study
Taking paracetamol during pregnancy might increase the offspring's chances of developing neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to a study. Study finds taking paracetamol during pregnancy may raise the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in newborns.(Representational image/ Unsplash ) Available over-the-counter, paracetamol -- also known as 'acetaminophen' -- is considered safe for managing headache, fever, and pain during pregnancy. Researchers, including those at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, US, analysed 46 previously published studies involving over a lakh participants across multiple countries. Findings published in the journal BioMed Central show that "higher-quality studies are more likely to show a link between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and increased risks of autism and ADHD," said author Diddier Prada, assistant professor of population health science and policy, environmental medicine and climate science, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "Given the widespread use of this medication, even a small increase in risk could have major public health implications," Prada said. Biological mechanisms that could explain the link between use of paracetamol and risk of disorders in children The paper also explores biological mechanisms that could explain the association between acetaminophen use and these disorders. Acetaminophen Paracetamol is known to cross the placental barrier and may trigger oxidative stress, disrupt hormones, and cause epigenetic (gene behaviour resulting in observable traits) changes that interfere with brain development of the foetus, the researchers explained. With cases of autism and ADHD estimated to be on an increase the world over, the findings have significant implications for public health policy, clinical guidelines, and patient education, they said. The team added that even as the study does not show that paracetamol causes neurodevelopmental disorders in offsprings, evidence from the study strengthens the connection and raises concerns about current clinical practices. The authors suggested a cautious, time-limited use of paracetamol by pregnant women under medical supervision and called for more studies to confirm their findings.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
7 everyday parenting habits that improve your child's mental well-being
7 parenting habits that secretly boost your child's mental health every day (Image: iStock) Even though parenting is a unique ritual, which is specific to each family with influences from personal to social to familial learnings, few learnings remain common and can be mimicked by the vast majority of parents to ensure inculcation of healthy habits in their children. According to a 2024 study, Routines and child development: A systematic review (Selman, Journal of Family Theory & Review ), consistent home routines like mealtimes and bedtime rituals are linked to fewer internalising problems (e.g., anxiety, depression), reduced externalising behaviours and even lower ADHD symptoms. Longitudinal evidence shows 'bedtime routines at age 3 predict decreased anxious, depressed, withdrawn and aggressive behaviors at age 5.' A study in Infant Behavior & Development tracked over 2,900 children and found that "children with consistent early bedtime routines were better able to regulate their emotions at age three" and that this improved emotional regulation mediated positive behavioural outcomes in fifth grade. A 1997 study by Gottman, Katz and Hooven, Parental meta-emotion philosophy, found that parents who understand and guide children's emotions ('emotion coaching') help them develop self-regulation, attention, emotional bonds and adaptability. As Gottman asserted, 'There is evidence that parents' interaction with the child has implications for the child's ability to self-regulate, focus attention, share intersubjective meaning and be able to interact with a changing environment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Benefits of Trading Bitcoin CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo ' In an interview with TOI, Dr Kushal Agrawal, HOD - Department of Neonatology and Paediatrics at KVR Hospital in Kashipur, suggested seven tips to meaningfully support your child's mental health and emotional growth - Encourage open emotional communication Daily parenting habits that are scientifically proven to boost kids' well-being (Image: iStock) Openly sharing emotions is one of the most effective methods to develop resilience. When children can recognise and name their emotions, they are better able to manage them. Tip: Create a safe, judgment-free space at home where your child can talk about both positive and challenging feelings. Just make sure that you impress upon the child that it is OKAY to share everything. Teach problem-solving skills According to research, children who learn problem-solving skills at a young age we can boost their feeling of autonomy and resilience. Tip: When your youngster encounters a problem, avoid rushing in to solve it. Motivate your kid to at least attempt to solve it on their own. Demonstrating resilience in everyday life Children generally learn through observation, particularly from their parents. Keeping a calm and positive attitude when facing your own struggles can have a significant impact on your child's capacity to cope with stress. Tip: Though it is okay for your kid to share their feelings, you don't need to share your frustrations and insecurities in details as they have to learn resilience from you. Practice mindfulness together Mindfulness has been demonstrated to alleviate anxiety and improve emotional regulation in youngsters. Mindfulness enables children to focus on the present moment, which allows them to better manage overwhelming emotions and feelings. Tip: Try easy mindfulness exercises as a family. Share everyday moments of thankfulness or practice deep breathing together. Establish strong social connections Parenting reset: Daily habits that transform your child's mental well-being (Image: iStock) Supportive relationships with family, friends and trusted adults are essential for over all development. Tip: Arrange playdates, join community groups, or enrol your child in team sports or clubs. These activities create opportunities for kids to learn how to work in groups. Encourage positive self-talk Children gain immensely from learning how to replace negative thoughts with positive self-affirmation. According to studies, youngsters who use positive self-talk feel more confident and are less likely to experience self-doubt. Tip: Encourage them to repeat positive affirmations in front of mirror everyday at set time, say while brushing Promote physical health for emotional strength Regular physical activity has been related to a better mood, less stress, and increased resilience. Physical activity gives a productive outlet for energy, promotes general health, and improves mental well-being. Tip: Plan family activities like walking, biking, or playing sports. Encourage your child to engage in physical activities they enjoy, which can become a positive coping mechanism for managing stress. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes, messages , and quotes !
