Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD)

People report that marijuana use helps improve their ADHD symptoms. But does it really help? Or does it mask a person’s ability to care about their problems rather than work to solve them? What are the benefits and downsides to using marijuana if you have ADHD? CHADD's resident expert Dr. Gene Arnold and guest Dr. Maggie Sibley discuss the research on the therapeutic role of marijuana, the potential downside of using unregulated drugs to help with ADHD symptoms, and why more research is needed.

The symptoms of ADHD can have profound effects on intimate relationships such as dating and marriage. But even though ADHD is present, it doesn’t mean that the person with ADHD is the sole cause of problems. Transforming your relationship starts with both partners understanding the role that ADHD plays and nondefensive listening. Melissa Orlov, the founder of ADHD Marriage, provides tools to help couples create a responsive relationship that feels “just right” for both individuals. Melissa Orlov is the founder of ADHDmarriage.com and the author of two award-winning books on the impact of ADHD in relationships: The ADHD Effect on Marriage (2010) and The Couple's Guide to Thriving with ADHD (2014). She is considered one of the foremost authorities on the topic of how ADHD impacts adult relationships. As a marriage consultant, she helps ADHD-affected couples from around the world rebalance their relationships and learn to thrive through her seminars, consulting practice, and books. She also teaches marriage counselors and other professionals about effective marriage therapy for couples affected by ADHD. Orlov blogs for psychologytoday.com and adhdmarriage.com, where she also hosts a large community of adults learning about ADHD in relationships. She has been interviewed by many publications and media outlets, including the New York Times, CNN, Today, and US News and World Report.

Historically, suicide rates have been higher among whites than any other racial group. Recent studies confirm this but show the growing rate among Black youth, which now surpasses that of their white counterparts. Despite making up 15% of the population, Black youth make up 37% of youth suicides. The highest demographic is young Black males. The assumption would be that depression significantly contributes to the increase in suicides. However, new studies indicate that much of the increase correlates to ADHD and untreated learning disabilities. While recent trends show the growing number of suicides in Black youth and adolescents, even more alarming is the rate of suicide among very young Black children. In this episode, Dr. Napoleon Higgins shares insights about how ADHD may be contributing to the increased number of suicides in Black youth and identifies why this is happening now. He also gives recommendations for educators and healthcare providers about cultural sensitivity and offers expert advice for parents of children with ADHD on diagnosing, treatment, and suicide prevention. Dr. Napoleon Higgins is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist in Houston, Texas.  He is the owner of Bay Pointe Behavioral Health Services and South East Houston Research Group. Dr. Higgins received his MD from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. He completed his residency in Adult Psychiatry and his fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston. He is the President of the Black Psychiatrists of Greater Houston, Past President of the Caucus of Black Psychiatrists of the American Psychiatric Association, and Past President of the Black Psychiatrists of America, Inc. Dr. Higgins is co-author of How Amari Learned to Love School Again: A Story about ADHD, Mind Matters: A Resource Guide to Psychiatry for Black Communities and author of Transition 2 Practice: 21 Things Every Doctor Must Know In Contract Negotiations and the Job Search.  He also specializes in nutrition and health to improve patients’ lives mentally and physically.  He emphasizes that good mental and physical health are key in the practice of psychiatry and medicine. Dr. Higgins has worked with and founded many programs that help direct inner-city young men and women to aspire to go to college and finish their educational goals. He has worked with countless community mentoring programs and has a special interest in trauma, racism, and inner-city issues and how they affect minority and disadvantaged children and communities.

The national obesity rate continues to climb, and the minority communities in the US are being hit the hardest. Black women and Hispanic men and women all have obesity rates that are higher than the national average. Having ADHD increases the odds of developing dysregulated eating, leading to issues with body weight. Why does having ADHD increase the odds of developing dysregulated eating? Providing insight into the matter is psychologist Roberto Olivardia. He will discuss the challenges and explain why Black Americans are at greater risk of developing the coexisting conditions that result from obesity. Dr. Olivardia stresses the importance of a proper ADHD diagnosis from culturally knowledgeable healthcare providers, while also spotlighting the barriers encountered by Black individuals to receiving good healthcare and management and treatment options. ________________________________ Dr. Roberto Olivardia is a clinical psychologist and lecturer in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Lexington, Massachusetts, where he specializes in the treatment of ADHD, executive functioning issues, and students with learning differences. He also specializes in the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating disorders in boys and men. He currently serves on the professional advisory boards for CHADD, ADDA, and the National Association for Males with Eating Disorders.

The Black community continues to have difficulty discussing and acknowledging ADHD and other mental health issues. On the flip side, it’s being reported that Black children are being over- and under-diagnosed, due to implicit racial bias and cultural incompetence among professionals. So, how do we change the mindset of Black Americans about mental health issues and culturally insensitive educators and healthcare providers? Dr. Brandi Walker provides insight into the Black community’s reluctance to discuss mental health matters, myths about diagnosis and treatment, the consequences of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD, and much more. ___________________________________________ Major Brandi Walker is an active-duty officer in the Army’s Medical Services Corps, serving as a clinical psychologist at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She is a recent graduate of Howard University's clinical psychology program, where she specialized in children, adolescents, and families. She obtained a master’s in rehabilitative counseling from the University of Maryland, College Park, and has held licensure as a graduate-level, licensed alcohol and drug counselor, and certified rehabilitation counselor. An advocate for research, Walker currently leads a nationwide community health study on ADHD and sleep in the pediatric population.

Many women struggle at midlife with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD complicated by hormonal changes. They typically report feeling overwhelmed, inadequate, misunderstood, and distressed at a time in their lives when they often have the greatest demands on their time and energy. Women not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood are more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms, anxiety, sleep disorders, eating disorders, substance use, and low self-esteem. In this episode, Dr. Carol Robbins provides an understanding of the challenges women face in midlife with ADHD, coping strategies, and the importance of reaching out when help is needed. Carol Ann Robbins, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD across the lifespan. She is the clinical director of the Annapolis ADHD Center and works with Kathleen Nadeau, PhD, an internationally known expert on ADHD, at the Chesapeake ADHD Center of Maryland. Dr. Robbins is a seasoned speaker, presenter, and author, as well as past president of the Maryland Psychological Association and coordinator of the MPA Post-Doctoral Institute on ADHD Across the Lifespan. She has served as coordinator of the Anne Arundel County chapter of CHADD since 2002.

ADHD impairments are made worse for many individuals by their struggles with excessive anxiety, persistent depression, compulsive behaviors, difficulties with mood regulation, or other coexisting disorders that persistently disrupt their daily lives. Sometimes this could lead a person struggling with their ADHD down a dark road to contemplating suicide. Talking about suicide, suicidal ideation, and self-harm with a loved one you suspect has these feelings can be challenging. Dr. Roberto Olivardia talks with Susan Buningh about the risk factors in children and adults who have ADHD, warning signs, and preventive measures to help someone you think may be considering self-harm or suicide. Dr. Roberto Olivardia is a clinical psychologist and lecturer in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Lexington, Massachusetts, where he specializes in the treatment of ADHD, executive functioning issues, and students with learning differences. He also specializes in the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating disorders in boys and men. He currently serves on the professional advisory boards for CHADD, ADDA, and the National Association for Males with Eating Disorders.

ADHD is found in all communities. For Latinos, cultural norms and barriers to healthcare affect the perception of ADHD symptoms in children, which may go unnoticed or undiagnosed. What are some of the cultural barriers to ADHD treatment? How can cultural beliefs affect treatment for ADHD? Dr. Lauren Haack will discuss common symptoms of ADHD and its presence in the Latino population. In addition, she gives insight into important cultural considerations professionals need to be aware of when treating Latinos with ADHD. She will also discuss how gender roles and family values may influence decisions about treatment options. Lauren Haack, PhD, is an assistant professor and attending psychologist in the department of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. Her research program and clinical practice focus on accessible and culturally attuned evidence-based services for vulnerable youth and families, with a particular specialty in ADHD services for children in Spanish-speaking, Latinx families.

The death of someone you love is often met with sadness. But the heartache felt by family members and friends can become more confusing and unnerving when the cause of death is suicide. Researchers say adults with ADHD have a high prevalence of attempted suicide. But is there a direct link between ADHD and suicide? What other risk factors are involved? Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman shares insight and understanding of risk factors and other conditions that often coexist with ADHD, increasing suicidal thoughts and attempts. She also discusses warning signals, preventive measures, and the approach to take if faced with someone expressing suicidal ideation. Jill Harkavy-Friedman, PhD, is vice president of research at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She works with over 200 scientific advisors to evaluate progress in the field and chart the next areas of inquiry to yield impactful insights and strategies for suicide prevention. Dr. Harkavy-Friedman has published over 100 articles. She works closely with AFSP’s education, communication, and public policy and advocacy teams to develop programs and messages to ensure they follow best practices in suicide prevention and reflect the latest findings in research. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and her master’s degree and doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Florida. In 1984, she joined Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine as an assistant professor. She established the Adolescent Depression and Suicide Program. In 1989, Dr. Harkavy-Friedman moved to Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute, first as an assistant professor and later as an associate professor of clinical psychology in psychiatry. As a licensed psychologist, she maintains a clinical practice in Manhattan.

Children and teenagers are more exposed than ever due to social media. They share what they are doing in real-time. As a result, experts say kids are growing up with more anxiety and less self-esteem. For parents, knowing what their child or teen is thinking and feeling becomes even more challenging. So, when do the usual ups and downs of a child with ADHD become something to worry over? What if your teen is thinking about suicide? Do you know the warning signs? In this episode, Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman talks about the warning signs for parents to watch for in their children. Also, she provides strategies for talking to your child and teen about suicide, building a support network, and preventive measures. Jill Harkavy-Friedman, PhD, is vice president of research at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She works with over 200 scientific advisors to evaluate progress in the field and chart the next areas of inquiry to yield impactful insights and strategies for suicide prevention. Dr. Harkavy-Friedman has published over 100 articles. She works closely with AFSP’s education, communication, and public policy and advocacy teams to develop programs and messages to ensure they follow best practices in suicide prevention and reflect the latest findings in research. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and her master’s degree and doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Florida. In 1984, she joined Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine as an assistant professor. She established the Adolescent Depression and Suicide Program. In 1989, Dr. Harkavy-Friedman moved to Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute, first as an assistant professor and later as an associate professor of clinical psychology in psychiatry. As a licensed psychologist, she maintains a clinical practice in Manhattan.