Addressing the Unique Issues of Student Athletes with ADHD
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Online Exclusive Adam E. Perrin, MD; Vijay M. Jotwani, MD Addressing the unique issues Department of Family Medicine, University of Connecticut School of of student athletes with ADHD Medicine, Farmington (Dr. Perrin); Methodist Hospital Center for Sports The impact of ADHD depends on an individual’s Medicine, Houston, Texas symptoms and chosen sport, which, along with specific (Dr. Jotwani) aperrin@stfranciscare. medication recommendations and cautions, help direct org treatment choices. The authors reported no potential conflict of interest relevant to this article. he symptoms typical of attention-deficit/hyperactiv- PrActicE ity disorder (ADHD)—inability to focus concentration rEcommendations and maintain attention span, and associated hyper- › T Schedule twice-monthly activity—impair normal daily functioning and cause distress visits when prescribing a for affected individuals.1 For the student athlete with ADHD, psychostimulant to assess sports are a natural outlet, fulfilling the need to be active. In the symptom control, review case of a developing child with ADHD, involvement in sports adverse effects, and record often is a haven from negative feedback that can occur in the blood pressure, pulse, height, and weight in determining classroom and an environment in which to experience success. the optimal dose. C Symptoms of ADHD also may offer an advantage in sports. Impulsivity, or the ability to act without reflection, en- › Keep in mind that using ables quick decision-making and the spontaneity required of a a psychostimulant can put quarterback or point guard.2 Well-known athletes with ADHD endurance athletes at risk for heat-related injury. C have said that while tasks requiring long stretches of concen- tration are difficult, aspects of their sport involving instanta- › Advise college-bound neous reactions help them to succeed. Evidence also shows athletes that the NCAA a statistically significant decrease in markers of anxiety and requires a therapeutic use exemption for those who take depression among ADHD subjects with higher levels of sports 3 psychostimulant participation. medications. C Given the positive experience sports can provide, children and adolescents with ADHD are likely to continue participat- strength of recommendation (SOR) ing and be as large a segment of youth athletes as they are of the A Good-quality patient-oriented 2,4 evidence general population. Primary care providers often treat student B Inconsistent or limited-quality athletes, and in this article we discuss the need for accurate di- patient-oriented evidence agnosis through comprehensive clinical evaluation, proper use C Consensus, usual practice, opinion, disease-oriented of psychostimulant medication and other available treatments, evidence, case series and special health concerns for athletes who have ADHD. Diagnosis: the need for awareness and accurate evaluation The worldwide prevalence of ADHD is 5.3%.5 In the United 6,7 States, it is 8.7% among adolescents and 4.4% among adults. conTinued jfponline.com Vol 63, no 5 | mAY 2014 | The journAl of FamilY prAcTice E1 tABlE 1 Differential diagnosis for inattention and hyperactivity1,3,4,6 psychiatric conditions Systemic medical conditions environmental factors neurologic conditions major depression hyperthyroidism Abuse or neglect hearing deficits Generalized anxiety disorder lead or other toxicities disruptive environment petit mal and partial complex seizures obsessive-compulsive disorder hepatic disease Giftedness or cultural factors post-concussion syndrome Substance abuse Sleep apnea learning disability conduct disorders Tourette syndrome personality disorders pervasive developmental disorders (eg, autism) One study of NFL athletes found that 14 of the student athlete with a legitimate need for 159 players studied had either ADHD or a treatment from one who is fine and merely learning disability for a combined prevalence looking for a performance enhancer.9 More- of 8.8%.8 ADHD is diagnosed 3 times more over, having a comprehensive assessment often in males than females9; however, stud- with diagnostic confirmation already in place ies have shown no gender effect on ADHD, when an individual enters college greatly fa- and referral patterns contribute to the higher cilitates completion of National Collegiate prevalence pattern for males.10 Athletic Association (NCAA) medical exemp- ADHD usually is diagnosed in child- tion documentation. hood, but increasingly, it is not established z Essential diagnostic steps. The until adolescence or adulthood.2,9 Although core clinical evaluation should cover the there is no age limit for the diagnosis, the following: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental • Ensure that DSM-5 criteria are met. Disorders (DSM-5) calls for the presence of • Obtain objective reports to confirm some symptoms before age 12, and symp- the presence of symptoms in multiple toms must cause impairment of function- settings. Commonly applied symptom ing in multiple settings.1 While hyperactivity assessment scales include the Brown, symptoms may decrease over time, a signifi- Vanderbilt, and Connors question- cant number of children and adolescents will naires administered to parents, teach- experience inattention symptoms into adult- ers, and adolescent patients mature hood.11 In fact, the disorder may not become enough to complete a self-evaluation. evident until college entry, when academic • Determine whether comorbid condi- demands overwhelm an individual’s usual tions are present. coping strategies.2 • Rule out medical conditions that can z Multiple reasons for an accurate di- mimic ADHD (eg, lead toxicity or thy- agnosis. Initiate evaluation for ADHD for roid disorder). any child 4 to 18 years of age who exhibits symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, or No neurocognitive or laboratory test for impulsivity to such a degree that it causes ADHD has sufficient sensitivity and speci- distress or impairment at home, at school, or ficity to qualify as a standard diagnostic on the sports field.12 Making an accurate di- test.2,13 In the future, advanced neuroimaging agnosis of ADHD is vital in student athletes may provide a means of diagnosing ADHD. given that treatment, or lack thereof, may put Functional magnetic resonance imaging has their health at risk and adversely impact their shown characteristic patterns of reduced ac- academic and athletic performances. Diag- tivation in the basal ganglia, frontal lobe, and nostic accuracy also aids in distinguishing parietal lobes in patients with ADHD.14 E2 The journAl of FamilY prAcTice | mAY 2014 | Vol 63, no 5 STUDENT ATHLETES with adhd z The differential diagnosis for symp- that has shown benefit is behavior therapy, toms of inattention and hyperactivity is which includes a broad set of specific inter- large (tABlE 1).1,3,4,6 Once underlying medical ventions that modify physical and social en- conditions have been ruled out, screen the vironments to change behavior.19 Behavioral patient for mental disorders, including de- training, which primary care providers can pression and mood disorders, anxiety, and introduce to parents, teachers, and coaches, conduct disorders, before concluding that involves the simple principles of reinforcing symptoms are likely due to ADHD. When desired behavior through reward and ignor- compared with mood disorders, a patient ing undesired behavior to reduce or elimi- with ADHD will have a persistent course of nate it. Consistent application of rewards or symptoms rather than periods of recurring unresponsiveness helps patients increase and remitting symptoms.2 ADHD is a chron- attention to instructions, comply with rules, ic condition that raises special health care improve productivity, and decrease disrup- concerns for children and adolescents.12 As tive behavior.20 many as two-thirds of children with ADHD The athlete with ADHD will benefit from have at least one coexisting neuropsychi- a structured environment and, depending on atric condition, and symptoms may over- age and level of maturity, can be educated lap, making for a significant diagnostic and by coaches on self-management strategies management challenge.9 Difficult cases may such as time management, effective planning necessitate consulting a specialist (psychia- and organization, and avoidance of distrac- Accurate trist, neurologist, or neuropsychologist) for tions.20 Exercise may help relieve subjective diagnosis is guidance. Additionally, in ADHD youth the symptoms of ADHD and comorbid mood needed to overall risk of developing a substance use disorders, but evidence is insufficient to de- distinguish a disorder is twice that of children who do not termine its direct impact on ADHD. legitimate need have ADHD.2,15 for treatment Pharmacologic treatment from an Of the many available medications used to unwarranted treatment: More than medication treat ADHD (tABlE 2),9,12,16,18,20,21 psychostim- request for Effective treatment for ADHD improves qual- ulants are most effective for reducing core a stimulant. ity of life, decreases the rate of substance symptoms of the disorder.22 It is estimated abuse, reduces errors when driving vehicles, that 56% of patients with ADHD receive drug and decreases the prevalence of comorbid therapy, and most of these drugs are psycho- psychological disorders.16,17 Pharmacologic stimulants.16 These agents increase dopa- and nonpharmacologic options are avail- mine and norepinephrine concentrations in able. With athletes, it’s important to be aware the brainstem, midbrain, and frontal cortex,