Weekly Research Updates for December 21, 2024

[@Hest4]

Dear Dr. Barkley, thank you for everything that you do in the field of ADHD. As a psychologist with ADHD myself, it is such a relief and gift to have a maverick of the field like yourself still fighting the good fight. I wanted to say that I think Andrew Huberman has made many wrong statements on his podcast about ADHD and I was wondering if you would consider dissecting some of his claims? Even better, he should have you on the show. Just a thought. Thank you again!

[@MsTata83]

Merry Christmas! Your work and dedication is a gift to everyone living with a diagnosis of ADHD

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Thank you! It’s a week to celebrate for sure.

[@meinungabundance7696]

Would you be so kind as to elaborate on Ritaline intervention in ELDERLY patients, even patients in early dementia? Since the results are very encouraging. This would be an "off label" use, treating apathia and lack of motivation.

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Colleagues of mine who specialize in older adults with ADHD tell me that the stimulants are useful in this age group provided they do not already have high blood pressure or serious heart disease.

[@vivianr.madalo3806]

Thank you for your humor and endless work. I am always grateful to you. Very worried about electronics for ADHD kids. it’s impossible to take them away 100%

[@Cerbera66]

👍

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

I understand. It’s even harder for ASD kids like my grandson. For them it’s not the social media apps so much but the games. Thanks for your note.

[@Sunnyflower67]

Happy Holidays to you and yours! 🎄🎄🎁⛄️⛄️🥧🥂 If you've hit this particular gaming topic in a video already, I'm sorry, but I wanted to add this. *I've heard from adults with ASD that "cozy" games help calm the nervous system. I have ADHD, and I found certain games under that category are a good distraction on those generally "irritable and overwhelmed" days. Nothing's happened, just a mood. Rather than inadvertently snapping at an innocent loved one, I can go play a game for 30 minutes. Sometimes the distraction is all I need to get past the mood. Luckily, I don't seem to overuse games. I'm 56 and was talked into trying a so-called cozy games for the 1st time last year. 😅@russellbarkleyphd2023

[@thebentspoon49]

I don't know of this is common, but when I was diagnosed (at 40) and medicated with Adderall, I started being able to learn self-motivation skills. I was able to observe myself being able to self-motivate on the meds, what that felt like, my thought process, and it's been able to translate, a little, on days when I am not medicated. It's not a huuuge difference but I can motivate myself to do things, sometimes. I guess maybe that's huge for me.

[@hermanmusimbi4337]

Thanks Dr. B, I was looking for the break down on this study. On adhd and life outcomes. Could one possible explanation be that people with ADHD and cognitive dysengament syndrome are being lumped into one diagnosis. ADHD meds are great for ADHD and there is some evidence that some are good for cds. However, their is also evidence that some are useless (methylphenidate). I'm really hoping for CDS to be added to the DSM 6 so we can untangle the life trajectories and therapeutic benefits for these two disorders.

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Yes, that is very possible as CDS is not a diagnosis. At least a third of inattentive ADHD diagnoses are likely CDS instead.

[@xenogardien]

Thanks as always for your weekly updates! I'm surprised Guanfacin wasn't mentioned in that first study. Is there a reason why?

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Good question! Let me check and get back to you.

[@4597-1]

Ugh! Occupation functioning. Been an RN for 35 +years. It still is the perfect job for me. But things happen. Like flipping the bird 🖕to the charge nurse and leaving the unit … never to return after they tried to “mandate” me for yet another 16 hour shift (already working 12 hours).

[@daniellether2150]

Thank you so much again Dr Barkley you are a true legend. Merry Christmas Doctor... xx

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

You are very welcome. Happy Holidays!

[@TheAbhi28]

Merry christmas to you and your family, Dr Barkley. Thanks for everything!!!

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

You are so very kind. And the best to you and your family as well. 🎅🏻

[@goodnightmr5892]

Merry Christmas 🎄 Loved the Dad Jokes!

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Happy holidays! and Thanks!

[@daniellether2150]

Doctor do you think that other Doctors are doing enough to let some of their old patients know they may have been misdiagnosed and if not what could we do about it?

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

No, I don’t. The older the MD, the less open they seem to diagnosing adult ADHD IMHO

[@4597-1]

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Dr Barkley! Thank you x a million for your advocacy and expertise for so many years! God Bless You! 🎄

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Thank you!

[@lizsaskia]

Merry Christmas Dr Barkley - thanks for helping me to make sense of ADHD!

[@lascreen3198]

Hello, thanks for your dedication. My nurse practitioner won’t prescribe stimulants because he claims they make older people (I’m 58) wacky. He has me on Wellbutrin & Guanfacine which has helped my mood, energy, and anxiety but only subtly effective for focusing. Is there any evidence to suggest stims are bad for older folks? Thank you again.

[@Robert.Marshall]

Time to find another primary care physician.... I'm taking a stimulant, and also in my 50s. I think we just need to be more proactive with keeping BP in check, and there are many things to help with that which are in our control. Also taking Wellbutrin.

[@lascreen3198]

@@Robert.Marshall Yeah it seems I need a change. Do you feel like your stimulant gives you ups & downs in terms of anxiety/mood swings?

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

There is no compelling evidence for such a reaction. Indeed stimulants benefit the elderly even if they don’t have ADHD due to their frequent problems with alertness. Glad you find the channel to be informative. I have the best subscribers on the planet.

[@RoSa-kr8hy]

I have a family member in their early 70s who benefits a lot from their stimulant medication after an ADHD diagnosis in their late 60s. They have no contraindications to taking medication and I wish it had been available to them decades ago.

[@stmcm]

@Russelbarkley in regards to one of your last videos on inner restlesness I wanted to ask, which medication would be the best choice to treat this inner restlesness.

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Both stimulants and nonstimulants likely help with this but my experience is the stimulants have greater effects.

[@Cerbera66]

Happy hollidays and a happy new years to you all 😊🍀

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Indeed! Ditto. And cheers!

[@altyrrell3088]

I'm finally catching up after a weekend of work. Excellent video as always, and I love the dad jokes! Happy Holidays to you, Dr. Barkley, and to all.🕯

[@nobodygh]

Merry Christmas dr Barkley!

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Same to you!

[@mrscott3961]

I wonder if GLP1’s will be studied for impulsive behavior etc for ADHD?

[@hhhhhFrogOrb]

Thanks Russ, merry christmas 🎅

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Same to you!

[@zezezep]

Happy Christmas

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Happy new year, too

[@thebentspoon49]

I would adore a social media where all you did was read us dad jokes. Could make it a shorts channel. I don't feel it would diminish your scholarly channel/work by having a little humour page somewhere.

[@lemoorian4549]

So I haven't watched the video yet...... but do studies 1 and 2 contradict anything regarding treatment efficacy in that mega review study that you made an entire video for in Nature Disease Primers?

[@transfettisolat8953]

Can you do a video about the combination of simulations with non-stimulants?

[@PBRAEF]

Merry Christmas! I should just Google this, but what makes someone an adult when talking about "adhd in adults"? Is it just age? Or are there other factors to consider?

[@sonyaparkin7841]

💚💚💚🎄🎅 🤗

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

🙏🥳

[@Omniliberalcapitalist]

Sir i am from india A country where stimulants aren't available widely because they're thought of as addictive and harmful by psychiatrists They think we just want stimulants to get high no real reason why anyone would want stimulants otherwise Bupropion and modafinil are the only ones available in most pharmacies Does modafinil actually work I dont think so but i would love your opinion on its efficacy