Why ADHD is Among the Most Treatable Psychiatric Disorders

00:00 Introduction to the Topic
00:23 Introduction to the chart comparing treatments for ADHD to ASD, Intellectual Disability, and Tourette’s Syndrome
01:15 Effectiveness of medications
03:02 Effectiveness of CBT
04:51 Effectiveness of behavior therapy applied to the patient
07:12 Effectiveness of parent training programs
08:46 Effectiveness of classroom management programs
09:38 Effectiveness of adult coaching
10:05 Effectiveness of physical exercise
10:48 Comparison of ADHD treatments to those for anxiety and depression
15:00 Conclusion - Why ADHD is among the most treatable psychiatric disorders
Here I wish to speak briefly about why professionals including myself consider ADHD to be among the most treatable psychiatric disorders and is the most treatable of the neurodevelopmental disorders.

[@BigIndianBindi-jy1cz]

most treatable, yet not easily treatable. getting treated is a true privilege. I wasn't able to get help for this until my 40's. After most of my life's potential was lost. such grief.

[@SehrynBelle]

I was 70 when diagnosed. A life wasted really. Very sad 😢

[@sharon339]

I feel the same way too. So much potential and yet.

[@Test-zn9rs]

It is never too late.

[@KyriakosChri]

​@@SehrynBelle its never too late. Please dont lose hope. I am sure you did things in your life you can look back and be proud of! And if not...who CARES? Live in the moment ~enjoy!

[@ali709aliali]

Although it is a great tragedy this happened to you and so many like you, I hope you can truly find rest, peace and solace in the fact that you can finally breathe and feel "normal". May your friendships be plentiful and meaningful

[@OlivineGreen7]

Meds work so well. .. . if insurance approves your med. Every time I needed to adjust dose or try a new med, it took multiple calls back and forth. Gaps in meds for days or weeks. Being treated like a criminal at some pharmacies. All of this made me stop taking meds for several years. But im struggling more now and getting back in it. Already 4 phone calls and a week in with no med after receiving a prescription. 😢 I just want to be functional.

[@yarntoast]

This shortage is infuriating. I set multiple alarms to remind me to refill at exactly 30 days and now I skip one day a week so I can cover at least a few days next time they can’t fill my prescription.

[@lisawhitehall1870]

❤❤❤word!

[@obgfoster]

Treatable if you can find a pharmacy that stocks your medication!

[@marleysoluna]

If you live in a larger city or near a university, it might be worth trying a pharmacy in the next town over - the smaller, the better! - to see if they have stock. This often works for both my dose and my kid's.

[@obgfoster]

@ladyoftheflowers9781 even Concerta is in short supply despite being expensive.

[@cjsun7871]

It's been on a backorder/short supply for about a year now. It took a bit for it to affect my pharmacy but, now it's bad.

[@SkellyHertz]

Sadly, the attitude towards ADHD is still similar to the attitude towards infection before the discovery of bacteria: "We don't understand why it happens, but it's probably your fault". Still, this bitterness is mixed with hope that attitudes towards ADHD treatment will change for the better in my lifetime.

[@jaeshasway]

It might be treatable but treatment is costly. They need to have ADHD coaching covered by health insurance. I’ve seen several therapist who say they treat or specialize in ADHD but they actually don’t. I need help with what’s often debilitating executive dysfunction. Medication is just one thing and often the side effects are worse than the medication. The training programs you speak of are financially unattainable. I spoke to a licensed experienced ADHD coach and her group therapy was $400 a month, one on one cost was significantly more than that. I don’t understand why it’s so hard to get quality treatment. Until we start advocating for healthcare to help with this treatment with adults most of us will continue to struggle. 😩

[@Indiekid-1976]

Please make a video about the ADHD medication shortages. I was diagnosed in February 2023, aged 47. I’m still waiting to be titrated with no date in sight when that might be. I am so depressed.

[@jhmstagg9104]

Good point. Yes what to do when there is no medication for pickup.

[@cobb9093]

which med? ritalin has no shortages that I'm aware of. I haven't had any issue getting it.

[@Indiekid-1976]

@@cobb9093 elvanse (lisdexamphetamine) but I today received news that I’ll receive medication tomorrow!

[@pulkitmittal9872]

Thank you for the support

[@iliyanovslounge]

Thank you so much for what you do, Russ

[@cobb9093]

thank you so much for educating us on adhd. Your knowledge is so valuable and I am so happy that you are not someone that is trying to sell us products like many other channels regarding adhd. cheers!

[@Intothelight72]

Thanks Dr Barkley, this was great.

[@KnarfMetmohn]

Thank you for your videos

[@DavidK-ct5hw]

Thanks for the video Mr. Barkley. What do you think about Neurofeedback in terms of treating ADHD?

[@Mikkelltheimmortal]

Here's a thought. It is plausible that the appropriate treatment for ADHD reduces the anxiety and depression in the subject. There by removing the need for medications for ADHD, Anxiety and Depression. This does not include those like me who suffer from a clinical depression due to a head injury and no longer produce the cocktail of chemicals to keep me balanced. If you want to talk to a real head case, I'm your guy. The strangest part to me is how easy it is to understand psychological issues no matter the person. I actually once had my own psychiatrist say "You could teach this!". He was referring to a meditation technique that he taught me and I got really good at really fast. It helps reduce pain. And it works, or not. It is up to the patient and their willingness to accept that the pain exists.

[@imthinkingthoughts]

I was on prednisolone for months after a diagnosis. I have experienced neurochemical depression as well - and it seems even after stopping the medication parts of it persist. My heart goes out to you my friend, it's not easy at all. There is certainly a deep empathy that can come through internal pain and suffering. Without such an experience of depression, it is rare one understands. It's great you're a quick learner too. Through all the clouds I can see you contributing your gift in your own unique ways. All the best stranger, best of luck!

[@justbeegreen]

What kind of méditation do you use ?

[@imthinkingthoughts]

@@justbeegreen I was prescribed prednisolone for an autoimmune disease. Unfortunately I had to take it at a high dose for many months due to an extended waitlist. I am doing better now, but it was a life changing experience indeed, both negative and positive!

[@Indiekid-1976]

I reckon just bee green is asking about the meditation technique, not your medication!

[@M2Mil7er]

​@@justbeegreen search Jon Kabat-zinn 'pain acceptance meditation'

[@spookshow]

The sad thing is that if those treatments don't work for you there are no other supports. People are reluctant to help if medication isn't working.

[@RoSa-kr8hy]

My insurance doesn’t cover adult ADHD. So it may be treatable, but treatment is inaccessible.

[@pipersecretp3]

If you are in the US, it is time to find an attorney to sue your insurance company.

[@user-cw7wx9bd2e]

Are there differences in terms of efficacy between different forms of physical exercise in the management of ADHD? (Specifically between aerobic vs anaerobic exercise.)

[@imthinkingthoughts]

Interesting question, would be cool to find out. Not sure who needs to read this in the comments but any form of exercise is much better than no exercise. I found myself wanting to do the most optimal thing and then becoming overwhelmed. A great form of exercise is the one you engage in!

[@apatheiajane4863]

Behaviour therapy, particularly ABA, is more likely to be traumatic than beneficial to Autistic people. It trains autistic people to how to act as if they’re not autistic, and if that’s the goal it has some evidentiary basis for (temporary) success, but if the goal is to improve quality of life for the autistic person (reducing symptoms like distress, burnout, barriers to quality authentic relationships etc.), rather than on reducing the disruptiveness of their symptoms to others, then its worse than useless. At its worst, its basically conversion therapy, something to be painfully unlearnt in order to be authentic and happy. ASD, just like being gay, isn’t at all treatable if “reduce symptoms” is taken to mean treatment results in reduced difference from the normal population. However ASD is very treatable in the sense that how we’re treated, environmental accommodations and learned tools can make a massive difference in capacity to integrate, contribute and thrive. For eg, I’m not sure on the evidentiary basis, but anecdotally from within autistic peer support groups and from talking to specialising talk therapists, ACT (acceptance commitment therapy) can be much more helpful approach to comorbid anxiety, depression, cPTSD etc than CBT or ABA.

[@HUMANEHAVOC]

Can you provide links to support the claims you made?

[@transfettisolat8953]

How high is the percentage of Atomoxetine medicated people getting normalized? Or are they included in the 50 to 60 percent?

[@diannaannette6956]

What about the percent of people who medication doesnt work? How are they able to manage adhd to become treatable?

[@samyueru3380]

Most treatable, but my treatment never worked >

[@salparadise1220]

Here in the UK there is only diagnosis. Dr, I think I might have ADHD. "So you do. Here are some pills. Now go away." Is there any support? Treatment? Group therapy? Life coaching? "This isn't America you know. We've told you that you have ADHD, sort the rest out yourself, now be a good chap and go away." There is nothing. Not even a leaflet for the families - explaining about what support will help and what won't and warning families of older people with new diagnoses, that any attempt to bring the consequences of executive dysfunction nearer is likely to get push back and that will put relationships under strain. Or of how post diagnosis it will look as though your ADHD person is getting worse. They're not, they're unmasking. This is very disruptive for them, please be patient. And the slightest excuse and medications are stopped and you're discharged from the service. Miss one appointment and fail to communicate within 14 days? You're gone. Problem with how an ECG was carried out, despite no other evidence including the ECG's own numbers? You 're gone. A nightmare, made worse by a deliberately hostile, unfriendly, unsupportive, unhelpful attitude. And the worst of it? This, according to the current British Government, is "mental health gone too far". So, these things are to be recategorised so that half a million plus currently disabled people can be told, "there's nothing wrong with you, back to work." And of course, they're going for mental illness because anything you can't see with your eyes doesn't exist. Arbeit Macht Frei?

[@skyguyflyinghigh]

damn can i have the name of your doctors surgery so i can go ? mine basically told me go away, and sent me a letter like a month later telling me im on a 5 year waiting list to get tested let alone medicated. mental health on the NHS is so inconsistent and across the board scuffed as hell.

[@DaffCookie]

They won't even let me get tested even though on anti depressants. Just keep sending me to councaling that dosen't work 😭

[@rappar9673]

Though I suffer from ADHD since childhood and I'm now 49, I have yet to see anything regarding medication that would confort me enough to take it. The side effects are far too concerning; I rather deal with ADHD than the consequences of the medication(s).

[@imthinkingthoughts]

I thought the same way. In my personal experience I realised that the side-effects of my ADHD were worse. Only way to find out is to try. It may be the case that we both have no side effects at all. I think the sheer numbers of responders Russell presents in the video give a lot of hope

[@philippeleblanc2953]

How many different molecules split between the two stim classes have you tried?

[@SehrynBelle]

Thank you

[@user-yq1bs4is6y]

The assumption of this graph is that people with NDDs should be NT. Our brains are literally different, why do we have to be and act like you! You would think the ones without the disorders would be better able to adjust to our differences instead of requiring us, the "deficient" ones, to adjust to make them more comfortable! Idk, maybe it is all my cognitive deficiencies, but make it make sense!😂

[@hebaabdelaziz5365]

Talk about slow processing speed What are the solutions of this issue It ruined my life 😭😭😭

[@nowie4007]

Same 😭😭😭

[@hebaabdelaziz5365]

@@nowie4007 how it affects you

[@cobb9093]

he has many videos on SCT sluggish cognitive tempo which is slow processing speed.

[@jorgenhassler6642]

Adult coaching? Since anyone can call them self a coach (including busses) most coaches are poorly trained and making the treatment up as they go along. The coaching business is show business, or a racket if you prefer. As a mental health professional with ADHD I think doctor Russel needs to be a lot more specific here: exactly what has been studied, and how do you get that? If that’s not specified you risk leading the audience in to expensive treatments that can’t even theoretically work.

[@dave.demmel]

Depression would be interesting in this list...

[@sebben13]

Maan, why is my adhd super resistant to everything? I don't even notice any of the stimulants at over double doses. Stupid body, I hate it.

[@fishofgold6553]

Which medications have you used?

[@ladyoftheflowers9781]

Combining multiple meds is the way to go. Educating yourself in psychopharmacology is key. Also some stimulants do not work with people as well as others do. Methylphenidate is more effective in children, while amphetamines have greater effectiveness in adults. Guanfacine, while only approved for children, can be used off-label for adults and can also be a useful supplement. Too many people focus only on stimulants, but tackling the whole picture is key!

[@sebben13]

@@fishofgold6553 I honestly can't remember, but my doctor said we had exhausted every option avaliable in my country (Norway). The only one I know about that I haven't tried is Adderal, but my doctor said it isn't possible to get here.

[@sebben13]

@@ladyoftheflowers9781 I'll probably be trying other meds / treatments next week, but my doctor has said I've tried every stimulant, and every combo availabe. We're starting on something else next week :)

[@philippeleblanc2953]

I'm in the same boat. It took me 5 years to find a psychiatrist willing to see me in a continuous manner about my ADHD without simply looking at me weird when I describe executive dysfunction symptoms of planned and sustained efforts thru time. 👀 It's a total bitch FR... 😮‍💨 The worst part for me aside from the poor response to meds is being told after hours upon hours of testing that i'm 80th percentile intelligence when they compensate for my ADHD but 22nd percentile if there were no way to evaluate without compensating for the dysfunction. In uni I'm 35th percentile performer. I hate that I can't take my place based on my efforts. It's like my clutch is burned and it won't engage no matter how much gas I put into it. But I guess we'll keep at it, aint that right! 😅🤪

[@Maryam-111]

❤❤❤❤❤thank you 🙏🙏🙏🪬

[@martinlutherkingjr.5582]

So if a patient’s ADD is not able to be treated despite trying, could it mean a wrong diagnosis?

[@georgev8590]

Your symptoms could also stem from childhood trauma. Some maladaptive behaviors can develop when your enviroment is not good during childhood that overlap with ADHD symptoms. What lead me down this discovery was when Dr. Barkley critisised Gabor Mate who claimed that ADHD is caused by adverse childhood events. My research lead me to believe that these are 2 different problems with similar symptoms. Childhood trauma can be adressed in psychotherapy.

[@martinlutherkingjr.5582]

@@georgev8590 No trauma, symptoms have been lifelong, even as a toddler it seemed apparent. I think it might just be mild autism diagnosis with minimal social deficits.

[@pipersecretp3]

I don’t buy that the effect sizes of benzos on anxiety is less than stimulants on ADHD. I AM NOT SAYING BENZOS ARE GOOD…. I am talking about a blind consideration of efficacy.

[@Abbody1337]

My body is resisant to every drug that affects the brain and I hate it. From SSRIs to stimulants I haven't even felt 5% the difference I should. Losing hope ngl

[@georgev8590]

Your symptoms could also stem from childhood trauma. Some maladaptive behaviors can develop when your enviroment is not good during childhood that overlap with ADHD symptoms. What lead me down this discovery was when Dr. Barkley critisised Gabor Mate who claimed that ADHD is caused by adverse childhood events. My research lead me to believe that these are 2 different problems with similar symptoms. Childhood trauma can be adressed in psychotherapy.

[@Patricia-vd9xh]

😂 Prison garb. ... So funny from one Boomer to another.

[@Drnonstop]

Sweden just updated it’s national guidelines with: You can get ADHD from moving from a geological point to another. (No sources). They read 100 studies, 900 abstracts during the course of 5 years and they ended up with: ADHD is inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity (NO CAUSAL RELATION) / ADD is ADHD without hyperactivity, ADHD loses its hyperactivity at a very young age, ADHD hyperactivity can not be seen - it’s intenalized. It’s like a big bowl of soup made from all of the chefs (most of the chefs are simply customers with proven experience from seeing a soup, some have seen a stew, some thinks they have seen a soup but it was actually tacos, some most likely think that soups aren’t just real but wanted to add some of their flavours in the soup).

[@ondrasheq21]

The most treatable psychiatric disease... As long as there isn't a drug shortage of several years :D

[@amaria7735]

2 dollars a 10 MG pill- absolutely disgusting

[@FrancisSelekis]

It angers me, that it is so treatable, yet not where I live, and I live in a smaller EU country. Little psychiatrists know about ADHD, and there are too few of them, and not all of these few are brave enough to prescribe medication. Got diagnosed? What's next? Basically, you are screwed. Only one stimulant medication approved, if you get lucky and it actually helps, be ready to wait months for it to appear in drug stores. Prepare rationing it, because it sells quickly. No alternatives stimulant and non-stimulant exists. If you have severe withdrawal symptoms and it suddenly ends, oh boy...If this one and only rare medication doesn't work, well, you are really f-ed, sadly.

[@Steuben1978]

Iam using guyausa tea to self medicate. It keeps me focused for 4 hours. Then i make another one, that last till the end of my work day. No medical advice of course. But maybe give it a try, if you can afford it.

[@FrancisSelekis]

@@Steuben1978 It's a coffee for me. Guayusa tea works because of caffeine, same thing. Same as matcha tea. Caffeine is the key. As long it somewhat works, it's a good choice, matter of taste.

[@Steuben1978]

@@FrancisSelekis Yes but with coffee or green tea i get a spike that last for maybe 1 or 2 hours and then the concentration crashes. With guyausa tea i dont have this problem.

[@FrancisSelekis]

@@Steuben1978 I drink coffee with milk only after heavy on protein breakfast. It works for few hours when wears off. On empty stomach? Hits hard, then the rest of the day ruined due to crash. Again, matter of taste. :)

[@TsutsuYumeGunnm]

Most Treatable, if you live in a country that allow stim meds😢 Otherwise you doomed

[@philuin9594]

Treatable with what?

[@RoSa-kr8hy]

In the video he lists medication, various therapies and management skills trainings, and physical exercise.

[@Drnonstop]

At 00:00 Barkley starts to answer your question, at 16:34 he stops answering your question and wishing you a happy gleeful day and life!

[@lisawhitehall1870]

Orvyour treated like a drug searcher!😢

[@themagnificentabby4792]

ADHD is not treatable when there is no medication to be found.

[@mimosveta]

may be, but the drugs used to treat adhd have horrendous carcinogenic side-effects that we never discuss...

[@admiral7599]

Depends on the usage. If you take it at recreational doses it's probably the case. Most studies from what I've seen mainly are from Meth users(Which aren't clean drug most likely) and used at neurotoxic levels. Ritalin seems pretty safe and even neuroprotective. Adderall also seems fine at therapeutic doses under 60mg.

[@imthinkingthoughts]

Many people who benefit from these mediations may be negatively effected by comments like these, even though there are perfectly good medication options. Side effects are well documented and patients are informed. It's important that we don't just say things like this with no evidence.

[@Drnonstop]

The sun causes cancer. Not being medicated and thinking bah what’s the worst that could happen from entering this radiation zone have more carcinogeric effects than the medicine alone. Source: yes, sources are a good thing and I would be happy to read your source on your statement.

[@lambs5258]

@@imthinkingthoughts Exactly, well said. These medications are so heavily stigmatized and viewed as something bad. Nevermind that untreated ADHD increases risk of addiction, shortens lifespans, and reduces quality of life. But many people seem to view medication as dangerous or a worse evil

[@iliyanovslounge]

No, that has not been shown but the precise opposite actually (see the International Consensus Statement on ADHD for references). It’s just a fabrication aimed at people who don’t require references to evidence in order to believe something.

[@billybigballssteubing2243]

Theres some unilateral thinking here. The amount of medications and delivery systems isnt automatically because its treatable

[@iliyanovslounge]

Rewatch the video, that not what he meant. The amount of medications and delivery systems available increase the likelihood one will achieve a positive treatment response.