Christine Boyd

Purpose: Gender differences in the presentation of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are well-documented, yet the interaction between ADHD and female reproductive stages remains underexplored. This study investigates how ADHD impacts menstruation, perinatal experiences, and menopausal symptoms in females. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 602 females (mean age = 39.52; SD = 10.21), including 377 with self-reported ADHD and 225 without, recruited through ADHD support groups, social media, Volunteer Ireland, and Prolific. Participants reported their menstrual regularity and completed the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST). Retrospective postpartum depression levels were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and peri- and post-menopausal symptoms were evaluated using the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS). Results: Females with ADHD exhibited significantly higher rates of menstrual irregularity (χ2 = 14.2, p < .001), more severe premenstrual symptoms (χ2 = 204.7, p < .001), elevated postpartum depression levels (t = 7.89, p < .001) with increased risk of unplanned pregnancies and pregnancy-related complications, and greater menopausal symptom severity (t = 9.61, p < .001) compared to their non-ADHD counterparts. Conclusions: These findings highlight a higher prevalence of reproductive-related challenges in females with ADHD, underscoring the need for further research in this area and more in-depth analysis. They emphasise the importance of integrating ADHD considerations into female health research and clinical practice.

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy and acceptability of Ireland’s National Clinical Programme for ADHD in Adults (NCPAA), providing public assessment and supports for adults with ADHD. Methods: Overall, 249 adults (51% women, 42% men, 4% non-binary, 1% other gender) were recruited from three NCPAA services using consecutive sampling. Participants completed the Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (WFIRS-S) at baseline, 6, and 12 months; service satisfaction was measured with the Service Satisfaction Scale (SSS). Reflexive thematic analysis explored responses to two open-ended questions. Results: Service users presented with high baseline symptomatology and life challenges. Significant improvements were observed in ASRS and WFIRS-S (except education) in the first six months. Improvements were retained at 12 months in ASRS and WFIRS-S domains of work, life skills, self-concept and social. but not family, risk or education. Service satisfaction was high, particularly among those diagnosed with ADHD. Thematic analysis identified three positive themes: feeling affirmed, benefits of supports, and person-centred care; and three improvement areas: access barriers, resource gaps, and need for ongoing support. Conclusions: Engagement with NCPAA services is associated with improvements in ADHD symptoms and life challenges and is acceptable to adults with ADHD in the short term. Service limitations, particularly staffing constraints, warrant attention. Recommendations include strengthening resources, improving communication and appointment systems, and enhancing links to external supports. Given the absence of a control group, findings should be considered preliminary.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the general practitioner (GP) referral pathway for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) devised by the Irish Health Service Executive’s (HSE) National Clinical Programme for Adult ADHD (NCPAA). Primary objectives were to (i) quantify GP referrals to community mental health teams (CMHTs) for adult ADHD screening, (ii) measure workload on CMHTs related to screening adult ADHD referrals without comorbid mental health problems, and (iii) quantify access to adult ADHD screening through CMHTs and subsequent assessment and treatment access through specialist adult ADHD teams. Methods: An observational cohort design was used to retrospectively analyse ADHD-related referral data collected by clinical staff across 11 Irish CMHTs, and three specialist adult ADHD teams from January to December 2023. Results: There was high variability in adult ADHD referrals to CMHTs, ranging from 14 to 122 over one year. There was also high variability in the number of referrals seen by CMHTs, ranging from 9 to 82. From 304 referrals seen across 11 CMHTs, 25.3% required initial treatment for another mental health condition. Specialist adult ADHD teams received 3–4 times more referrals than they were able to assess during this timeframe. Conclusions: The NCPAA has provided crucial services for adults with ADHD in Ireland. However, an increase in neurodiversity awareness and demand for services suggests that a range of referral pathways depending on complexity level may be required. Alternative models are proposed, which require allocation of resources and training through primary care, secondary mental health services and specialist teams.

Introduction: Cognitive changes are very frequently reported by people with post‐COVID‐19 syndrome (PCS), but there is limited understanding of the underpinning mechanisms leading to these difficulties. It is possible that cognitive difficulties are related to immune status and/or low mood. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between immune status and cognitive functioning in PCS, while considering whether depression symptoms also influence this association.Methods: Participants were recruited in an online study of cognitive and psychological consequences of PCS, involving individuals attending a post‐COVID clinic in an acute general hospital in Ireland, and a comparison sample of age‐ and sex‐matched community controls who had also been infected with COVID‐19 but had not experienced PCS. Participants with PCS (n = 71) and community controls (n = 50) completed the immune status questionnaire, Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy‐Fatigue Scale (FACIT‐F).Results: Significant differences were observed between groups in terms of perceived immune status, perceived cognitive function, depression scores, and fatigue, with the “PCS” group reporting lower immune status, more cognitive difficulties, and higher levels of depression and fatigue. Regression analysis in the PCS group indicated that immune status and depression significantly contributed to variance in subjective cognitive functioning, with immune status remaining a significant predictor of cognitive functioning scores even when accounting for depression, fatigue, and other covariates related to PCS, such as Body Mass Index (BMI).Conclusion: Our findings suggest that subjective cognitive functioning is influenced by self‐reported immune status in PCS, emphasising the importance of immune status, cognitive, and mood screening as part of routine clinical care in PCS.