I subscribe to an ADDitude newsletter for ADHD professionals. It’s not super sciencey. Frankly, I often wish it were more in depth and cited the actual papers so I could at least read the abstract, conclusion, or methodology. But, I guess it is what it is. But the thing that baffles me is how little new is reported from reportedly new studies.
I’ve been an ADHD professional for 12 or so years. I’ve been a person with ADHD for 44 years. I’ve know I had ADHD for about 34 years. And, I’ve done my best to learn about ADHD in one way or another for about 20 years. And I’ve taken part in studies on ADHD since I was 12. So, I know a lot about ADHD. I keep reading article that announce finding of stuff I already know like it’s new news. I understand that we need to build a concensus in science and medicine. But, maybe use the word “confirms” instead of “determines?”
Today’s take away from January’s ADDitude for Professionals:
“As many as 80% of adults with ADHD have at least one co-existing psychiatric disorder.2 According to a recent ADDitude survey of 1,500 readers, anxiety and depression are the two most common comorbid conditions diagnosed alongside ADHD in adults, with co-diagnosis rates of 72% and 70%, respectively.”
I’ve been telling my clients this for over a decade. There have been scores of studies to prove it. Who cares about an anecdotal sample of a very specific 1,500 readers? But they are the two most common comorbidities. That’s been established for years.
We all benefit from the prodigious amount of research done on ADHD. But, let’s break some new ground? Or maybe I’m just getting old and cranky?