Study Shows that Leading a Busy Life can Reduce ADHD Symptoms
Symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may experience periods of partial or full remission, especially when individuals engage in demanding work or school activities.
Symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can significantly improve or resolve for many individuals if they stay engaged in demanding work or school activities, according to a recent study.
Over 11 percent of American children aged 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, with diagnoses increasing in recent years.
ADHD Symptom Severity Can Vary Over Time
A study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry in October found that environmental factors like school, work, and obligations to others can positively influence symptom fluctuations in people with ADHD.
The study builds on previous research that described ADHD as a condition characterized by intermittent periods of remission, with about 30 percent of children experiencing complete remission at some point.
Margaret Sibley, lead author of the studies and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine, was surprised by the association between a demanding life and improved symptoms.
“We found that, in the years when people were doing better, they seemed to actually be living much more demanding lives,” Sibley stated in a press release.
Periods of Complete ADHD Remission
The study reviewed cases of 483 patients across six sites in the United States and Canada, finding that 64 percent experienced fluctuations, including partial to complete remission, with different types identified.
Sibley characterized the fluctuating group as individuals moving between complete remission, partial remission, and complete ADHD diagnosis, with three additional patient subgroups identified.
Factors That Influence ADHD Symptoms
The findings suggest that patients may have positive and challenging years living with ADHD, emphasizing the importance for doctors to convey this message.
“If you’re a doctor talking with a patient who is first getting diagnosed with ADHD, it’s a huge help for that person to hear the message that ‘You’re going to have good years and you’re going to have not-so-good years, but things can go really well for you if you can get the right factors in place,’” Sibley said in the press release.
People with ADHD need to identify personal factors that contribute to their periods of remission to manage their condition better, she added.
Although science continues to uncover the specific factors that help individuals with ADHD, Sibley noted that patients could reflect on their own lives or work with therapists to identify successful strategies.
