Impact of COVID-19 for people living and working with ADHD: A brief review of the literature

Jack Hollingdale; Nicoletta Adamo; Kevin Tierney; Jack Hollingdale; Nicoletta Adamo; Kevin Tierney

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2021047

AIMS Public Health

2021, Volume 8, Issue 4: 581-597. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2021047

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Mini review

Impact of COVID-19 for people living and working with ADHD: A brief review of the literature

1.
Compass, Compass Psychology Services Ltd, London, UK
2.
SCAAND Department, Michael Rutter Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, London, UK
3.
Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK

Received: 29 May 2021 Accepted: 18 August 2021 Published: 23 August 2021

Objective
COVID-19 lockdowns have changed the social and environmental context. Those with ADHD are more vulnerable to experiencing difficulties than their non-ADHD peers. This paper attempts to provide a brief summary of the literature that has emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Method
A literature search was completed using the following databases; Embase, Ovid Medline, APA PsycInfo. A total of 36 papers were identified as relevant to the topic.
Results
The pandemic has exacerbated the core symptoms of ADHD and co-occurring difficulties. Services have adapted their assessment and intervention protocols for tele-health working and findings suggest that tele-interventions present a viable alternative. However, much of this research utilises small sample sizes and a restricted number of population groups.
Conclusions
More research is required to determine the effectiveness of ADHD care during the pandemic and whether adaptations will be retained post-pandemic.
- ADHD,
- COVID-19,
- education provision,
- service provision,
- interventions
Citation: Jack Hollingdale, Nicoletta Adamo, Kevin Tierney. Impact of COVID-19 for people living and working with ADHD: A brief review of the literature[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2021, 8(4): 581-597. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2021047

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Abstract

Objective

COVID-19 lockdowns have changed the social and environmental context. Those with ADHD are more vulnerable to experiencing difficulties than their non-ADHD peers. This paper attempts to provide a brief summary of the literature that has emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

A literature search was completed using the following databases; Embase, Ovid Medline, APA PsycInfo. A total of 36 papers were identified as relevant to the topic.

Results

The pandemic has exacerbated the core symptoms of ADHD and co-occurring difficulties. Services have adapted their assessment and intervention protocols for tele-health working and findings suggest that tele-interventions present a viable alternative. However, much of this research utilises small sample sizes and a restricted number of population groups.

Conclusions

More research is required to determine the effectiveness of ADHD care during the pandemic and whether adaptations will be retained post-pandemic.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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