Does examining different rates of ADHD diagnosis teach us anything? — In today’s politically fraught climate, why would anyone other than a provocateur venture into an examination of race and mental health? Discussing race in America, or actually, most places on this planet remains fraught with controversy. Some states have actually sought bans on teaching such controversial subjects in public schools.

Where OCD and ADHD Overlap — On the surface, ADHD and OCD appear to be opposites. The rigid, repetitive, compulsive, fearful actions of someone with OCD seem markedly different from the impulsive, thrill-seeking, externally distracted behavior of some people with ADHD. But in a number of instances, OCD behavior can be mistaken for ADHD. And the…

Remembering Bill “Buzz” Boomer — Earlier this year, one of my mentors died. Bill “Buzz” Boomer was coach of the swim team at the University of Rochester. He achieved worldwide fame in the swimming community for developing new techniques to swim faster. …

Driving while distracted — Dozens of studies confirm that those with ADHD are more likely to be involved in car accidents, including lethal ones. Any number of attributes of ADHD — impulsivity (“I need to get off at this exit now! So what if I’m in the left lane?”), poor sustained attention (“Highway driving…

Are our labels misleading? — We consider Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Adderall (amphetamine) first choice options for treating ADHD, with “non-stimulant” medications, behavioral training, biofeedback, and other treatments ranked as considerably less effective. But from a number of perspectives, including mode of action, efficacy, and serious adverse effects, methylphenidate looks more like a “non-stimulant” than a…

We have a long way to go to understand brains and effective treatments for ADHD and other conditions. — Life is complicated. Brains are complicated. We tell stories to try to understand the world and capture insights into how it works, and how we work. For decades, Americans have gravitated towards stories about neurochemistry to explain how the brain shapes behavior. …

Do stimulant holidays help? — For decades, doctors advocated that children and adolescents take periodic breaks from their stimulant medications. Should adults treated with stimulants take drug holidays as well? Very little data actually supports the recommendation of stimulant medication holidays for youth, and even less research indicates what might be best practices for adults…

Understanding the role of disgust and dehumanization in causing horrible human behavior — Russian missiles shatter Ukrainian theaters, hospitals and refugee convoys. American gunmen, assault rifles blasting, slaughter dozens in nightclubs, schools, and churches. Across the US, assailants stomp on and batter Asian Americans. Horror abounds. Societies protect themselves by enacting and enforcing laws that forbid certain behaviors. A just society establishes penalties…

With a surging stimulant epidemic, the difference matters. — Methamphetamine, amphetamine, methylphenidate….Aren’t they all just versions of the same thing? Although we classify these substances as stimulants, they produce different effects on brain chemistry, and influence behavior in divergent ways. …