Latest news with #JournalofAffectiveDisorders
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Is ADHD still skyrocketing among young people? Experts crunching the data suggest it's not
Health experts and parents have been raising the alarm about a surge in ADHD cases, particularly among young people – but the increase appears to have tapered off in recent years. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders, affecting an estimated 8 per cent of children and teenagers. Worldwide, around 366 million adults have ADHD, with symptoms including trouble focusing, restlessness, and impulsivity. But a new analysis, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, suggests the apparent recent uptick in ADHD cases may be more due to recognition than reality. It looked at 40 studies on ADHD from 2020 onward. While there were major gaps in data, the highest-quality studies found no significant increase in the overall prevalence of ADHD in that time. Related Popular ADHD TikTok videos often do not accurately reflect symptoms, experts say They also found no meaningful increase in new diagnoses from 2020 to 2024, though they have been trending upward in recent decades. Researchers also noted that a growing number of people are getting tested and seeking support for ADHD. 'Our best evidence suggests the true rate of ADHD isn't increasing that much,' Philip Shaw, director of the King's Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People, told journalists. 'My hunch is there's such a huge awareness of ADHD that it's often used as… the way young people express they are struggling at school and need help,' added Shaw, who was not involved with the new study. Related 'Historical stigma and ignorance': Why is Europe struggling to focus on adult ADHD? Researchers said the longer-term increase in ADHD cases is likely due to some combination of 'catch-up' diagnoses among people whose conditions were not detected when they were young, as well as changes to how ADHD is diagnosed, pandemic-era disruptions, social media, and other unknown reasons. Some have proposed that constant stimulation from social media and mobile phones – which has earned young people the title of the 'distracted generation' – could be driving an increase in ADHD. A 2023 study, for example, found a link between ADHD symptoms and excessive social media use, smartphone dependence, and internet addiction. Related 'Deeply concerning': Adults with ADHD may have shorter life expectancies But not all attention problems are ADHD, and 'it's too early to say what's causing what here,' Shaw said. 'We don't know what's the chicken and what's the egg'. Researchers said more studies are needed to confirm whether more people are actually developing ADHD than in the past, or if they are simply more likely to be diagnosed. 'We should be looking at these questions… and I think that is what's happening,' Shaw said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Is ADHD still skyrocketing among young people? Experts crunching the data suggest it's not
Health experts and parents have been raising the alarm about a surge in ADHD cases, particularly among young people – but the increase appears to have tapered off in recent years. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders, affecting an estimated 8 per cent of children and teenagers. Worldwide, around 366 million adults have ADHD, with symptoms including trouble focusing, restlessness, and impulsivity. But a new analysis, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, suggests the apparent recent uptick in ADHD cases may be more due to recognition than reality. It looked at 40 studies on ADHD from 2020 onward. While there were major gaps in data, the highest-quality studies found no significant increase in the overall prevalence of ADHD in that time. Related Popular ADHD TikTok videos often do not accurately reflect symptoms, experts say They also found no meaningful increase in new diagnoses from 2020 to 2024, though they have been trending upward in recent decades. Researchers also noted that a growing number of people are getting tested and seeking support for ADHD. 'Our best evidence suggests the true rate of ADHD isn't increasing that much,' Philip Shaw, director of the King's Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People, told journalists. 'My hunch is there's such a huge awareness of ADHD that it's often used as… the way young people express they are struggling at school and need help,' added Shaw, who was not involved with the new study. Related 'Historical stigma and ignorance': Why is Europe struggling to focus on adult ADHD? Researchers said the longer-term increase in ADHD cases is likely due to some combination of 'catch-up' diagnoses among people whose conditions were not detected when they were young, as well as changes to how ADHD is diagnosed, pandemic-era disruptions, social media, and other unknown reasons. Some have proposed that constant stimulation from social media and mobile phones – which has earned young people the title of the 'distracted generation' – could be driving an increase in ADHD. A 2023 study, for example, found a link between ADHD symptoms and excessive social media use, smartphone dependence, and internet addiction. Related 'Deeply concerning': Adults with ADHD may have shorter life expectancies But not all attention problems are ADHD, and 'it's too early to say what's causing what here,' Shaw said. 'We don't know what's the chicken and what's the egg'. Researchers said more studies are needed to confirm whether more people are actually developing ADHD than in the past, or if they are simply more likely to be diagnosed. 'We should be looking at these questions… and I think that is what's happening,' Shaw said.
Euronews
3 days ago
- Health
- Euronews
Is ADHD skyrocketing among young people? Experts think not
Health experts and parents have been raising the alarm about a surge in ADHD cases, particularly among young people – but the increase appears to have tapered off in recent years. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders, affecting an estimated 8 per cent of children and teenagers. Worldwide, around 366 million adults have ADHD, with symptoms including trouble focusing, restlessness, and impulsivity. But a new analysis, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, suggests the apparent recent uptick in ADHD cases may be more due to recognition than reality. It looked at 40 studies on ADHD from 2020 onward. While there were major gaps in data, the highest-quality studies found no significant increase in the overall prevalence of ADHD in that time. They also found no meaningful increase in new diagnoses from 2020 to 2024, though they have been trending upward in recent decades. Researchers also noted that a growing number of people are getting tested and seeking support for ADHD. 'Our best evidence suggests the true rate of ADHD isn't increasing that much,' Philip Shaw, director of the King's Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People, told journalists. 'My hunch is there's such a huge awareness of ADHD that it's often used as… the way young people express they are struggling at school and need help,' added Shaw, who was not involved with the new study. Researchers said the longer-term increase in ADHD cases is likely due to some combination of 'catch-up' diagnoses among people whose conditions were not detected when they were young, as well as changes to how ADHD is diagnosed, pandemic-era disruptions, social media, and other unknown reasons. Some have proposed that constant stimulation from social media and mobile phones – which has earned young people the title of the 'distracted generation' – could be driving an increase in ADHD. A 2023 study, for example, found a link between ADHD symptoms and excessive social media use, smartphone dependence, and internet addiction. But not all attention problems are ADHD, and 'it's too early to say what's causing what here,' Shaw said. 'We don't know what's the chicken and what's the egg'. Researchers said more studies are needed to confirm whether more people are actually developing ADHD than in the past, or if they are simply more likely to be diagnosed. 'We should be looking at these questions… and I think that is what's happening,' Shaw said. A growing number of people are turning to chatbots such as ChatGPT for support with their personal problems. According to a Harvard report, the demand for AI tools in 2025 suggests a paradigm shift. Previously, these tools were primarily used for technical purposes; however, as they have become more widely adopted, emotional support and personal development have garnered increased attention. Rita Marcelino, an IT consultant, and João Aranha, a business development representative, are two young people who turn to ChatGPT for help when they face difficult situations. Marcelino says she uses it "to combat some nervousness or to help me gain confidence before important moments such as a job interview, a presentation or even to structure thoughts when I feel more indecisive". Aranha explains that the chatbot's "immediate" availability is an advantage, as using it doesn't require "an appointment". "Like so many people of my generation, when I have a problem I want to solve it on the spot," he adds. Asked about the possibility of AI tools replacing psychotherapy, clinical psychologist Ana Rita Oliveira admits that chatbots can, in certain contexts, provide some kind of support in gathering information about managing emotions. She notes, however, that "therapeutic techniques and strategies are accessible to everyone, they're just a click away, but in psychotherapy, change is based on the relationship between the patient and the psychologist". Although Marcelino and Aranha use ChatGPT to deal with some challenges, they both also have therapy sessions with a certified psychologist, and describe the two experiences as "completely different". Aranha believes that the main difference is control, arguing that he is better able to control the "session" held with the chatbots. "The outcome of the conversation with ChatGPT always depends on our input, i.e. we're talking to someone who says and does what we want. A psychologist, on the other hand, has the ability to turn us round, cut off our train of thought and divert our attention whenever they want," he says. The increasing use of AI tools has led users, particularly young people, to self-diagnose. Online self-diagnosis is not new. However, chatbots allow people to ask questions about symptoms, illnesses and treatments, with personalised answers given in seconds. Oliveira, the psychologist, says some of her patients have arrived at their psychotherapy sessions convinced of their diagnosis, following online research they had done themselves. "We have to know how to filter what we read. Reaching a diagnosis involves much more than a process of checking symptoms. It involves assessing various dimensions of the individual and this may require human contact," she says. Oliveira is sceptical of the role that AI can play in therapy, saying that the use of such tools "exclusively harms the therapeutic process for patients" and "can lead to the work of psychologists being discredited". "I question whether this need for emotional support will ever be met purely through AI. If we have this need, it's because we feel this lack in the relationships we establish in our lives," she says.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Greater awareness not more cases behind ADHD surge, study suggests
ADHD is not becoming more common despite the surge in people being diagnosed, research suggests. The review, led by King's College London, looked at 40 studies in 17 countries and found no clear evidence rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had risen since 2020, despite rising diagnoses and longer waits for assessment. Some blame greater social media use and the Covid pandemic for rising numbers developing the condition - but the researchers say greater awareness and acceptance were likely to be encouraging more people to seek help. There were no signs the true rate of ADHD, known as prevalence, was on the up, they added. Lead researcher Dr Alex Martin said it was likely to be a case of under-diagnosis of the condition in the first place. "ADHD prevalence in adults and children has remained largely stable since 2020," she added. In the UK, around 3 to 4% of adults and around 5% of children and young people are thought to have ADHD. Experts believe there are similar rates in other countries but only a fraction of these have been diagnosed. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by difficulties with concentration, energy levels, impulsiveness, or by a person's ability to manage their time. The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, comes as a national taskforce in England is looking at what this rising demand for support means across the NHS, education and justice sectors. Figures published last week by NHS England estimated there were nearly 2.5 million people in England with ADHD, with more than 550,000 currently waiting for an assessment. Every month 20,000 more people are referred for support, a 13% rise on this time last year. NHS England has admitted patients are waiting "too long for assessment and diagnosis". Patient watchdog Healthwatch England has also campaigned on the issue, calling for better support. A report it published last week highlighted how ADHD can lead to people struggling in work and education and emphasised the importance of them getting a diagnosis to help understand and manage their condition. One woman, Alex, told the watchdog a diagnosis had helped her find ways to manage better and opened up access to medication which meant she was better able to care for her daughter. "I just couldn't cope with normal things or keep a routine. It made living exhausting." But the 32-year-old was only able to get a diagnosis after paying for private support. "I'm lucky I could afford going private, but I know many people can't," she added. Henry Shelford, of ADHD UK, said the condition had been ignored for too long. "Increasing awareness and diagnosis is the key to unlocking the talents of over 2 million people in the UK. "Doing so isn't just good for the individual, it's economically positive for the entire country." Prof Edmund Sonuga-Barke, a fellow at the Academy of Medical Sciences and an ADHD expert at King's College London who was not involved in the research, said it was clear there had been a "chronic under-diagnosis" of ADHD in the UK. He said while ADHD medications were safe, there needed to be more progress in developing a greater range of non-drug treatments and therapies to help people self-manage their conditions. It comes amid criticism too many people are being placed on drugs to treat ADHD.
The Hindu
27-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
NIMHANS study identifies DNA methylation markers for early detection of postpartum depressive symptoms
A study by researchers from NIMHANS has identified a panel of novel DNA methylation makers that can help predict the risk of postpartum depressive symptoms in early stages of pregnancy. The study was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders on April 24. Perinatal depression, which includes both prenatal (during pregnancy) and postpartum (after childbirth) depression, affects a substantial proportion of women and can have long-lasting effects on both mother and child. It often manifests as persistent sadness, low energy, anxiety, and disrupted sleep and appetite patterns. The study, led by Kuppan Gokulakrishnan, Associate Professor of Neurochemistry at NIMHANS, is a collaborative effort with researchers from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), Seethapathi Clinic in Chennai, and the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. The team focused on epigenetic changes, specifically DNA methylation (a biological process by which methyl groups are added to the DNA molecule - the levels of which help predict diseases) as potential early indicators of depressive symptoms. This study was funded by the DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance. Blood biomarkers Dr. Gokulakrishnan said there are currently no blood-based biomarkers available to identify postpartum depressive symptoms at an early stage of pregnancy. 'Therefore, our discovery allows for earlier intervention, which can help reduce the harmful effects of depression. Our findings open up the possibility of a simple blood test during early pregnancy that could help identify women at risk, allowing for timely intervention and support,' he said. Early detection could lead to personalised, preventive strategies in maternal mental health care and reduce the long-term emotional and developmental toll on both mothers and children, he said. The study involved 201 pregnant women with no prior history of depressive disorders, recruited from the STratification of Risk of Diabetes in Early Pregnancy (STRiDE) study. 'Participants were screened for antenatal depressive symptoms, and blood samples were analysed using the advanced Infinium Methylation EPIC array. This revealed 591 methylation markers significantly associated with antenatal depressive symptoms. From this data, a panel of seven methylation markers was identified using machine learning as a robust biomarker panel capable of distinguishing depressed women from controls with high sensitivity and specificity,' the author explained. Impressive accuracy 'Remarkably, this same panel was also able to predict postpartum depressive symptoms with impressive accuracy. The predictive power increased further when combined with patient-reported data. This is a significant leap forward in our understanding of the biological underpinnings of perinatal depression,' said Dr. Gokulakrishnan. Pointing out that further studies with larger and more diverse samples are warranted to improve the robustness of the model, he said, 'Additional analysis of the associated methylation patterns pointed to biological pathways such as inositol phosphate metabolism, notch, and calcium signalling pathways already known to play roles in mood regulation.' Chinnasamy Thirumoorthy, who is one of the authors of the study, said the team is currently working on validating the findings in other Indian cohorts. 'Our goal is to develop a point-of-care diagnostic tool based on these epigenetic biomarkers,' he said.
