ADHD and lifestyle habits in Czech adults, a national sample

Abstract

BackgroundAdult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been added as a diagnosis to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version 5 (DSM5) in 2013, thus making ADHD, which has been classically known as a childhood disorder, a life-long disorder. Those suffering from the condition show very specific behavioral traits, which manifest as lifestyle habits; they also show comorbidities that can be the symptoms and/or consequences of certain lifestyles.Materials and methodsThe targeted population was adults aged 18–65 years. The total sample was 1,012 (507 males and 505 females). The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS V. 1.1) was administered to evaluate the current symptoms of ADHD and a questionnaire regarding lifestyles that are pertinent to ADHD, exercise, drug use, and diet.ResultsAn ASRS score of 4–6 points was found in 11.4% of the male population and 9.7% of the female population (5–6 points indicate very high-intensity symptoms). A score of 6, the highest intensity of symptomatology, was found in 1.18% of males and 0.99% of females. Gender differences in scores were not statistically significant. In terms of self-reported lifestyles, we calculated an ordered logistic regression and the odds ratios of those with ASRS scores >4. Those with higher ASRS scores had higher rates of self-reported unhealthy lifestyles and poor diets with high consumption of sweets. We also ascertained a paradoxical finding that is not in line with the current literature on the disorder – lower rates of cigarette smoking among people with higher ADHD symptomatology.ConclusionSeveral specific lifestyles were found to be associated with higher ADHD symptoms such as poor diet and cannabis use. Other factors classically associated with the disorder such as cocaine addiction and nicotinism were either insignificant or surprisingly less prominent among the Czech sample. However, ADHD-prone respondents reported to be more physically active, which fits the clinical picture of hyperactivity but contrasts with literature that reports sedentary ADHD lifestyle.

Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and dietary habits in adulthood: A large population‐based twin study in Sweden

“…At the phenotypic level, our results are in line with previous study from adults associating elevated levels of self‐reported ADHD symptoms with higher consumption of sweet food and lower consumption of vegetables and fruits (Weissenberger et al, 2018). However, the case–control study with 51 young adults (aged 18–25) suggested that nutrient intake was not associated with ADHD, but the conclusion was limited by the small sample size leading to low statistical power (Holton et al, 2019).…”

“…However, only two available studies with adult samples were found with conflicting results. Weissenberger et al (2018) reported an association between ADHD symptoms and higher consumption of sweets, while Holton, Johnstone, Brandley, and Nigg (2019) found nutrient intake was not associated with diagnosed ADHD.…”

ADHD Symptoms in Adults and Time Perspectives – Findings From a Czech National Sample

“…Many adults with ADHD symptoms in the Czechia may never be diagnosed with the condition and may suffer because of this bias. This was one of the main reasons for our previous study on the widespread of ADHD symptoms in Czech adults and their associated lifestyles in 2018; please see Weissenberger et al (2018) for more on that. Other studies have looked at ADHD symptoms, time perspectives, along with other issues such as addictive behaviors.…”

Clinical Implications of the Perception of Time in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Review

“…They noted consistencies in time deficits in those with a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD rather than individuals suffering from some of the symptoms but at a low level, whom the authors referred to as ‘pseudo-ADHD’ [44]. In previously reported studies by these authors, the findings showed that adults with strong symptoms of ADHD had unique lifestyles and habits that might make diagnosis and treatment planning easier, and the perception of time could be viewed in similar terms as far as asking the right questions for diagnosis and including time treatments [45]. The inner clock of people with ADHD seems to run faster than in normal individuals, and this can be useful in diagnostics and can be integrated into treatment.…”