NY Times, “Covid Depression Is Real. Here’s What You Need to Know.”

From the NY Times, “Covid Depression Is Real. Here’s What You Need to Know.”

Excerpt:

“The World Health Organization noted this year that anxiety and depression increased by 25 percent across the globe in just the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic. And researchers have continued to find more evidence that the coronavirus wreaked havoc on our mental health: In a 2021 study, more than half of American adults reported symptoms of major depressive disorder after a coronavirus infection. The risk of developing these symptoms — as well as other mental health disorders — remains high up to a year after you’ve recovered.”

Game-Changing Study Finds Dozens of Genes Tied to Depression

“Game-Changing Study Finds Dozens of Genes Tied to Depression” by Christopher Wanjek

From the article, “The hope is that the discovery will pave the way for new, diverse therapies for depression, an often-crippling disease that affects nearly 15 percent of adults worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Only about half of patients respond well to existing treatments, which include both drug therapy and psychotherapy.“

5 Reasons Why You Should Commit Your Goals to Writing

“5 Reasons Why You Should Commit Your Goals to Writing“ by Michael Hyatt

The author gives 5 reasons why it's important to commit your goals to writing. This is true for everyone, but especially true for adults with ADHD. In the ADHD world there is a maxim, "If it isn't on the list, it doesn't exist!"

The Real Reason You Feel Sleepy in the Afternoon

Fitbit blog post, "The Real Reason You Feel Sleepy in the Afternoon" by Michele Bender

In short, it's the way we are wired. This is part of a natural cycle of alertness throughout the day. I provided a short excerpt below and you can click on the link above for the full article.

"If you’re longing for a latte by 4:00pm, blame your body clock. “A sense of sleepiness can occur seven to nine hours after our wake up time due the brain’s drop in alertness,” explains Fitbit sleep advisor Allison T. Siebern, PhD, consulting assistant professor at Stanford University Sleep Medicine Center and director of the Sleep Health Integrative Program at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center in North Carolina. Another reason you’re feeling fatigued? Your body builds up adenosine, a chemical that accumulates in your system to cause sleepiness, as the day progresses, says Siebern. In other words, the longer you’re up, the wearier you become."

Feel like your motivation and focus has diminished during the pandemic? Maybe you are languishing.

This article provides an interesting take on why now, as we are seeming to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, many people still feeling “m’eh” instead of excited.

"There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing" by Manshen Lo
The New York Times, April 19, 2021

"At first, I didn’t recognize the symptoms that we all had in common. Friends mentioned that they were having trouble concentrating. Colleagues reported that even with vaccines on the horizon, they weren’t excited about 2021. A family member was staying up late to watch “National Treasure” again even though she knows the movie by heart. And instead of bouncing out of bed at 6 a.m., I was lying there until 7, playing Words with Friends.

It wasn’t burnout — we still had energy. It wasn’t depression — we didn’t feel hopeless. We just felt somewhat joyless and aimless. It turns out there’s a name for that: languishing.

Languishing is a sense of stagnation and emptiness. It feels as if you’re muddling through your days, looking at your life through a foggy windshield. And it might be the dominant emotion of 2021."

Read the full article here.

CNN - Post-Covid PTSD: the storm after the storm

“Millions have survived Covid-19 hospitalization, and, for most, the acute physical symptoms have gone away. But many continue to endure the emotional and psychological trauma that comes with having Covid-19. A study published February 2021 found that 30% of Covid-19 survivors experienced post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, a psychological illness that usually occurs after someone has a life-threatening experience.”

Read the full article here, https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/01/health/post-covid-ptsd/index.html

International Travel with ADHD Medications

Know Before You Go: International Travel with ADHD Medications

Article from CHADD.org's "ADHD Weekly" Published January 16, 2020

This article is an important reminder that if you're planning a winter getaway or summer vacation to another country and you take medication for ADHD, make sure you confirm it is legal there and have the correct documentation.

Is that brain fog really adult ADHD?

Is that brain fog really adult ADHD?
Published in the Harvard Health Letter: November, 2018

Many of the people that I work with use the term "brain fog" that is mentioned in this article. The article talks about how forgetfulness, disorganization, procrastination, etc. may actually be attributable to the "brain fog" of ADHD.

U.S. Army’s tactic to fall asleep in two minutes

What happened when I tried the U.S. Army’s tactic to fall asleep in two minutes
Posted on FastCompany.com, article by Michael Grothaus

Insomnia can be a coexisting condition for many, if not all, of the conditions I treat. ADHD, depression, and anxiety can all lead to sleepless nights. While there is a lot of research behind consistently using good "sleep hygiene," the approach in this article is reportedly effective as well. As long as you give yourself 6 weeks of time to practice every night.

Think a few sleepless nights isn't a big deal?
This article cites studies saying that "the average worker loses the equivalent of 11 days of productivity every year due to sleep issues" and "poor sleep cost US businesses a staggering $411 billion in lost productivity every year."

Is Screen Time Causing ADHD?

Is Screen Time Causing ADHD?
To Your Health, by Editorial Staff
July, 2018 (Vol. 12, Issue 07)

This is a brief article about a study looking at ADHD and screen time. Spoiler alert: it does not prove screen time is causing ADHD. At least that's not what this article says. There is a correlation between their sample and symptoms of ADHD. However, 1) as they mention, showing symptoms of ADHD is not the same as being diagnosed. And 2) correlation is not the same as causation. For example, it could be that children with ADHD-like symptoms sought out more screen time as opposed to the screen time causing their symptoms.