@Article{info:doi/10.2196/24430,
author="Adamou, Marios
and Fullen, Tim
and Galab, Nazmeen
and Mackintosh, Isobel
and Abbott, Karl
and Lowe, Deborah
and Smith, Claire",
title="Psychological Effects of the COVID-19 Imposed Lockdown on Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Cross-Sectional Survey Study",
journal="JMIR Form Res",
year="2020",
month="Dec",
day="15",
volume="4",
number="12",
pages="e24430",
keywords="adult ADHD; pandemic; lockdown; COVID-19; well-being; psychological; intervention; ADHD",
abstract="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. ",
issn="2561-326X",
doi="10.2196/24430",
url="https://formative.jmir.org/2020/12/e24430",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/24430",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33108312"
}