ADHD, it turns out, is a GOOD thing to have in a pandemic world. Although studies show ADHD folks are more likely to risk contracting COVID, they are also more likely to recover more quickly and with fewer complications!
How’s that for some good news (at last)?
I was stunned to find that untreated ADHD is a risk factor for COVID-19 but I suppose it makes sense. We are probably more likely to forget our mask, our hand sanitizer, our social distancing margin. The study, by the way, did not mention any of those possibilities. Only that we are at higher risk.
The second study, however, brought up an interesting point: that ADHD might be an evolutionary advantage for battling some illnesses, in much the same way that folks with sickle cell anemia are at an advantage when battling malaria.
I was equally stunned when the conclusion of the researchers was that perhaps ADHD children might not require the same limitations for COVID as their non-ADHD classmates. That, to me, is a big leap. Not sure that follows. Of course, the waffling, “don’t blame us if it turns out we are wrong” caution at the end of EVERY study was: “needs more research.”
Anyway, wanted to pass along some interesting news. Here are the studies if you want to see the originals:
I have Asthma, and I’m very aware of everyone around me when I leave the apartment. It’s rare that I do, because I’m trying to be very careful. When I am out, I wear my mask like my life depends on it and I try to keep my distance from others. I really don’t need to catch that virus with my Asthma. I’ve ended up in the hospital when the flu got the better of me. Imagine Covid? Ugh, no thanks.
Interested and although that would be a good news for my daughter (and possibly myself), I cant help but think this study is only based on the prevalence of ADHD diagnosis in certain states and could correlate to the differences in attention to health and access to healthcare in different states? Could it be that a state with more cases of ADHD is really a state with more kids with ADHD or just a state where people consult more hence place a diagnose on a condition that in other states or at least in some population groups might be just labeled as a more “difficult” child but not induce consultation?
20 years later same ADHD questions February 12,2023
ADHD+COVID=Good News? October 16,2020
ADHD and COVID-19 March 18,2020
I have Asthma, and I’m very aware of everyone around me when I leave the apartment. It’s rare that I do, because I’m trying to be very careful. When I am out, I wear my mask like my life depends on it and I try to keep my distance from others. I really don’t need to catch that virus with my Asthma. I’ve ended up in the hospital when the flu got the better of me. Imagine Covid? Ugh, no thanks.
Interested and although that would be a good news for my daughter (and possibly myself), I cant help but think this study is only based on the prevalence of ADHD diagnosis in certain states and could correlate to the differences in attention to health and access to healthcare in different states? Could it be that a state with more cases of ADHD is really a state with more kids with ADHD or just a state where people consult more hence place a diagnose on a condition that in other states or at least in some population groups might be just labeled as a more “difficult” child but not induce consultation?