Tag: ADHD

Children spending 4+ hours on screens face 61% higher depression risk

A new Nature Portfolio study reveals that excessive screen time in children is associated with significantly detrimental mental health outcomes across several disorders: ADHD, anxiety, behavioural problems and even depression.

According to clinicians from Flow Neuroscience, a company behind the first FDA-approved non-drug, non-invasive depression treatment, the issue is even bigger than the study reveals, as these children are often overprescribed antidepressants and have limited treatment alternatives due to their age.

Based on data from over 50,000 US children aged 6-17, the study revealed that excessive screen time, categorized as four or more hours per day, is associated with increased odds of mental health issues, raising the likelihood of depression by 61%, anxiety by 45%, behavioural or conduct problems by 24% and ADHD by 21%.

“What is most concerning about these results is the high probability of depression,” says Dr. Hannah Nearney, M.D., clinical psychiatrist and UK Medical Director at Flow Neuroscience. “While there are effective treatments for depression, treatment from a young age can present challenges that may further negatively impact a patient’s life, partly due to the side effects associated with antidepressant use. Unfortunately, non-drug alternatives are often limited to talking therapy, leaving a gap in the provision of services and exposing vulnerable children to increased risk.”

According to the study, physical activity emerges as the most influential protective factor between screen time and mental health problems, accounting for up to 39% of that relationship.

In comparison, irregular bedtimes are culpable for up to 23,9%, and short sleep duration explains around 7,24% of the relationship between screen time and mental health issues.

“What’s most important is that we now know the main determinants and protective factors regarding a range of mental health issues in children. The odds can be significantly reduced with adjustments in behaviours such as physical activity, and expanding the tools we can use to combat these illnesses,” highlighted Dr. Nearney.

The data from the study also indicated that this problem will escalate, as nearly one in every three children spends too much of their time in front of screens, suggesting the behaviour is normalized.

Meeting guidelines for physical activity (which is more than 60 minutes per day) is already low, with only one out of five children achieving this standard. And just one out of four children maintains a consistent weekday bedtime routine.

Given the limitations and risks associated with prescribing SSRIs to children, including a small but measurable increase in suicidality, there is a growing need to explore alternative, non-pharmacological treatments.

In this context, the first FDA-approved non-drug treatment, based on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), is expected to become available in the US later this year. However, it is not approved for children under 18.

“Due to long waiting times, not enough attention is given to children and adolescents with mental health problems such as depression. Too often, they’re pushed into the trial-and-error pathways with antidepressants, even at a young age. We hope that such tools as brain stimulation will become available for these young people too, but what we can do in the meantime is to follow the suggestion of studies like the latter one, and not only avoid screen time, but also regulate our sleep schedules, add physical activity to children’s daily lives, and explore other similar options,” highlighted Dr. Nearney.

Even though currently, children don’t have non-drug, at-home, FDA-approved tools for depression treatment, an increasing amount of research supports that such technologies as tDCS are safe for pediatric use.

In the meantime, this Nature study reframes youth mental health as largely a preventable behavioural challenge and shows that many risks stem from modifiable habits like screen use, physical activity, and sleep.

Understanding ADHD Diagnosis in Ireland: A Guide to Support and Care

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is experienced by people internationally, within and outside of Ireland. If you are considering seeking an ADHD diagnosis in Ireland, you may wonder how to go about it. This post provides a rundown of exactly what the pathway to a diagnosis entails, as well as help and treatment options available to you and your loved ones.

If you are a parent with concerns about your child’s attention span and behaviour or an adult seeking more insight on how to manage ADHD symptoms in your life, being informed on what’s involved in an ADHD evaluation is the first step on your road to empowerment. Understand the symptoms of ADHD, how to prepare for a diagnosis in the Irish system, and effectively manage symptoms for the best treatment for ADHD Ireland has to offer.

Recognising the Signs of ADHD

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects people in many ways. Some become overactive or impulsive, whilst others struggle to maintain composure when focusing attention or staying organised. Other symptoms include concerns with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While some symptoms begin in youth, with symptoms typically found in school, the condition can continue into adulthood and impact the remainder of their lives, i.e., impacting their work or relationships.

If you or your child consistently struggles with attention, time management, forgetfulness or getting things in order, perhaps it’s time to consider an assessment for ADHD. The sooner it is identified, the better the opportunity to access support and learn strategies to manage difficulties.

The Process of ADHD Diagnosis in Ireland

Navigating the healthcare system to obtain an ADHD diagnosis in Ireland is relatively simple once you know how. Most people will start by visiting a General Practitioner (GP), who will be able to advise on the process, and refer you to the appropriate specialist. If children have experienced problems at school, then it might be their teacher or a school psychologist who first suggests an evaluation by a specialist.

Experts who can diagnose ADHD are often psychiatrists or clinical psychologists, due to the training required to officially diagnose the condition. In addition to this, regulated and safe platforms like HealthHero.ie can provide online consultations to help provide clarity on next steps, and give families the reassurance they need to move forward with the process.

How ADHD is Managed in Ireland

An ADHD diagnosis tends to open a new door: one of solutions and strategies for managing symptoms, through therapy, medication and lifestyle changes that can boost focus and impulse control. In most cases, management includes a combination of solutions that are right for the given individual:

Medication: Stimulant and non-stimulant medications are often prescribed to help manage symptoms, improve concentration, and decrease impulsiveness. Medications can be mixed and adjusted as needed over time with the help of a healthcare provider.

Therapy and Skills Training: Talking therapies and teaching new skills can help on your side of things. A trained therapist can teach you more about time-keeping, organisation and reducing procrastination. They may use treatment programming to help counter some of the cognitive processing issues experienced when making decisions.

Lifestyle Changes: Keeping a routine, eating healthy food, and sticking to a sleep schedule can help with the symptoms of ADHD. Kids with ADHD should have a limited amount of choices, making it easier to organise and structure environments or routines at home and school for children with ADHD to follow, and adults benefit greatly from things like task planners with date books or apps that can provide help in managing tasks and responsibilities.

Many healthcare providers provide resources and advice specifically targeting ADHD that go well beyond medicine and talk therapy to provide broader support that can help with symptom control.

How an ADHD Diagnosis Can Empower You

For many people, a diagnosis of ADHD is an exciting and life-changing thing. It can give you answers, relief and information that you would never have otherwise had. You can take what you learn about yourself and use that information to help yourself and put tools and strategies in place to manage your ADHD.

Learning that ADHD is behind certain challenges will also give you some insight into your strengths. Many people with ADHD are very resilient; they are often highly creative and have fantastic problem-solving skills. By doing therapy and making lifestyle changes that are catered to you ranging from the people around you to your home and environment, you can use those skills to live an even more satisfying and fulfilling life.

Navigating the Healthcare System for ADHD Support

In Ireland, you receive a diagnosis and support for ADHD through the public health system, which is called the Health Service Executive (HSE). You can expect to wait sometime for the initial appointment with the relevant specialist, as waiting lists tend to be long. But here is help available that can give you an appraisal of whether your child might have ADHD and care until you receive a diagnosis.

Some families can also opt for an assessment in the private sector to avoid waiting times and start interventions as quickly as possible. Even though this is more costly, getting the appropriate interventions early on can make a huge difference not only for the child or teen but also for the entire family.

Finding Support After an ADHD Diagnosis

With a diagnosis of ADHD, having the right support set up is essential. In Ireland, there are Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) in schools equipped to help children with ADHD get the right support where education is concerned. For adults, support in the workplace, at home and in their personal life is available.

Therapists who specialise in ADHD can help work through the practicalities of coming to terms with and managing the sleep-deprived frustration that comes with ADHD, as well as putting in place strategies for bolstering organisational skills, time management and relationships. Friends and family will also play a key role though, so being able to discuss your diagnosis and what it means is likely to put them in the best place to provide the help you need.

With an understanding of the ADHD diagnosis process in Ireland you will be well-placed to live your best, most balanced life, knowing where to turn for the support you need. Equally, if you know someone you care about is struggling with ADHD — whether during childhood or adulthood — you can take your concerns to your GP or simply head to HealthHero.ie to find your way to the help and advice you need.