Background: The psychological effects of the COVID-19 government-imposed lockdown have been studied in several populations. These effects however have not been studied in adult populations with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Objective: We wanted to investigate the psychological effects of the COVID-19 imposed lockdown on an adult population with ADHD. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey by administering the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7, Brief Adjustment Scale-6, Perceived Stress Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support to a pragmatic sample of adults with ADHD. Results: In total, 24 individuals (male: n=18, 75%; female: n=6, 25%; age: mean 21.75 years, SD 1.85 years) were included in this study. The adults with ADHD we surveyed had significant levels of emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic period. However, there was no evidence of significant deterioration to the mental health of our sample during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: When treatment for ADHD is maintained, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of adults with ADHD are mild. Targeted psychological interventions may be useful in such circumstances.

Advances in digital health have enabled clinicians to move away from a reliance on face to face consultation methods towards making use of modern video and web-based conferencing technology. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote telecommunication methods have become much more common place in mental health settings. The current study sought to investigate whether remote telecommunication methods are preferable to face to face consultations for adults referred to an Autism and ADHD Service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, whether there are any differences in preferred consultation methods between adults who were referred for an assessment of Autism as opposed to ADHD. 117 service users who undertook assessment by the ADHD and Autism Service at South West Yorkshire NHS Partnership Foundation Trust from April to September 2020 completed an adapted version of the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ). Results demonstrated that service users found remote telecommunication to be useful, effective, reliable and satisfactory. Despite this, almost half of service users stated a general preference for face to face consultations. There was no difference in the choice of methods of contact between Autism and ADHD pathways. Remote telecommunication methods were found to be an acceptable medium of contact for adults who undertook an assessment of Autism and ADHD at an NHS Service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This exploratory study reports the outcomes of a remotely delivered manualised form of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) during the COVID-19 imposed "lockdown". Adults completing this intervention (N = 12) reported statistically and clinically significant improvements on outcomes relating to self-reported mood F(1.356, 14.917) = 21.64, p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.66), anxiety F(2, 22) = 22.93, p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.68), psychosocial adjustment (χ 2 (4) = 26.51, p < 0.001) and treatment acceptability was good. Preliminary findings suggest this cost effective and remotely delivered psychotherapeutic approach might be one appropriate method for supporting the well-being and adjustment of adults with ADHD during future COVID-19 or other pandemic related lockdowns. Further research is urgently required to establish efficacy using larger sample sizes and the implementation of wait list and treatment comparison groups. Future research might also explore the use of this manualised approach in other clinical subgroups and the general population.

BACKGROUND The psychological effects of government imposed lockdown due to COVID-19 have been studied in several populations. These however have not been studied in adult ADHD populations. OBJECTIVE We wanted to investigate the effects of lockdown imposed due to COVID-19 in an adult ADHD population. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a pragmatic sample administering the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)- 9, the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD)-7, the Brief Adjustment Scale (BASE-6), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). RESULTS Twenty fours individuals were included (75% male and 25% female, mean age 21.75 years old). The sample of adults with ADHD we surveyed had significant levels of emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic period. However, no claim can be made that during the COVID-19 pandemic there is evidence of significant deterioration to the mental health of this sample. CONCLUSIONS When treatment for ADHD is maintained, the effects of the COVID-19 to the mental health of this population group are mild. Targeted psychological interventions may be useful

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