Research conducted by the University of Southampton indicates that while medications are important for improving the quality of life for individuals with ADHD, the authors suggest that additional support is necessary alongside medications.
The findings, published online on 8 August 2024 in The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, highlight the potential impact of shortages of certain ADHD medications.
“It is deeply concerning to think of the impact on individuals who cannot access their medication due to supply shortages or for other reasons,” Professor Samuele Cortese from the University of Southampton, the senior author on the paper, expressed.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which can have negative effects on various aspects of life such as social interactions, work, education, and daily tasks.
“People with ADHD report lower quality of life in areas such as work productivity, social and family life, and self-esteem, compared to their neurotypical peers,” stated Dr. Alessio Bellato, a lecturer in Psychology at the University of Southampton and the lead author of the paper.
“This study demonstrates that medications play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with the condition.”
The researchers conducted the first systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of stimulant (amphetamines and methylphenidate) and non-stimulant (atomoxetine) drugs for ADHD on the quality of life.
They included 17 placebo-controlled trials, encompassing over five thousand participants in the analysis. Trials were drawn from the MED-ADHD dataset the largest dataset of trials of ADHD medication, set up by Professor Cortese and international collaborators.
Both stimulant and non-stimulant drugs were significantly more effective in improving quality of life than placebo. However, the study also found that while the effects of these drugs on the core ADHD symptoms are usually medium to high, the impact on quality of life was in the small-to-medium range.
Professor David Coghill from the University of Melbourne, a co-author on the paper, added: “This disparity shows that, for most people, targeting core symptoms through medication alone is unlikely to counter the impact of ADHD on quality of life. More research is needed to find out whether combining medication with other approaches can lead to further improvements in well-being and what types of support might be most effective in situations where medication is not available.”
“More research is also needed to better understand how these medications affect quality of life,” says Dr Bellato. “It could be that reducing the core symptoms of ADHD (inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity) leads to more efficient task management and this results in better academic and professional outcomes. Medications may also help stabilise emotional dysregulation, promoting emotional well-being and higher self-esteem.”
“Considering that ADHD medication might not be acceptable, effective, or well tolerated for everyone with ADHD, more research is needed to evaluate alternative approaches, including psychological interventions.”