by Researchers from the University of Cambridge have shed new light on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), revealing that emotional dysregulation, which can present as depression, anxiety, and explosive outbursts, is a prevalent symptom in approximately half of all children diagnosed with the condition.
The team’s findings, published in the journal Nature Mental Disorder , analyzed data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, a large-scale longitudinal cohort that tracks the brain development and mental health of thousands of children in the United States. The researchers identified 350 participants within the cohort who exhibited high ADHD symptom scores, meeting the clinical threshold for the disorder. Two-thirds (65.7%) of these children were male.
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, affecting around 7.2% of children under the age of 18, with approximately 50% of these cases continuing into adulthood. Characterized by symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, and difficulty focusing attention, ADHD has long been associated with emotional self-control issues.
Previous research suggested that these emotional problems were a result of other symptoms related to ADHD, such as cognitive and motivational deficits. However, the new study indicates that emotional dysregulation occurs independently of these symptoms.
The Cambridge team found that one in two (50%) of the children with ADHD showed signs of emotional dysregulation. Furthermore, Ritalin, a commonly prescribed medication for managing ADHD symptoms, appeared to be less effective in treating emotional dysregulation.
ADHD is known to affect approximately 1 in 14 young people, and the condition’s persistence into adulthood is a significant concern. The new findings underscore the importance of addressing emotional dysregulation as a primary symptom of ADHD, rather than a secondary issue.
The researchers emphasized the need for further research to develop more effective treatments for emotional dysregulation in children with ADHD. By gaining a better understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms, they hope to pave the way for new interventions and improve overall outcomes for these individuals.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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