COVID and ADHD

[GigglingSid]

Recently read a comment (not a scientific paper) that some in the medical field might feel there was a link between the recent surge in adults recognising ADHD symptoms in themselves and this occurring possibly post- COVID infection. Thinking more of pre existing symptoms worsening in the aftermath of the infection, I can definitely see the possibility. My own traits worsened significantly after childbirth.
I have no particular argument to make about this. Some will no doubt say it's bollocks, but we can't dispute the huge numbers of people recognising this profile now, since 2015. Could there be a link?
Again this is not saying people don't have ADHD, but that getting COVID exacerbates the existing traits.

Interesting, I’ve always felt that what I now know as my ADHD got a lot worse after I had proper flu just before starting the second year of secondary, so it wouldn’t surprise me if a nasty viral infection could exacerbate underlying neurological conditions. I had covid last november for the first time, and I experienced it “neurologically” - mild physical symptoms - I could manage to go out for a 20 min flat dog walk & slight cough, but I had crushing brain fog, fatigue, headaches, depression, emotional dysregulation etc.

We all just had more time on our hands and behaviour became way more apparent when your at home 24/7 with no-one to dilute the experience

Recently tiktok has made it more fashionable everywhere "my adhd journey" "how I discovered I had OCD" etc etc

I don’t know if there is any neurological link between Covid and ADHD symptoms but could it be lock down that made the symptoms more prevalent? Not having lots of physical activity and limited outside interactions would likely cause challenges for many ADHDers.

You mention child birth, was it actually giving birth or was it the executive function required to look after a baby and function as a mother?

Correlation doesn’t equal causation.

“My own traits worsened significantly after childbirth.” Lots of ND women seem to find the sleep deprivation, extra work load and no or little down time which comes along with being a new parent a tipping point between coping and not coping.

ADHD is very much hormonally influenced in women - it insensifies in hormonal shift times such as puberty, pregancy, pre-periods (PMDD) & perimenopause due to changing levels of progesterone, which depletes the levels of dopamine, the neurotransmitter (brain hormone) responsible for executive function & motivation. I took the period delay medication (progesterone based) last year and I was bursting into tears several times a day and almost suicidal a few days after I stopped.

My mum was probably ND and she had post partum psychosis after she had me (hospitalised).

Interesting also. My DH has a chronic illness (ME) and ADHD. We have definitely noticed a worsening of symptoms since he fell ill. There is apparently a link between the two conditions there. I assumed it was just he had no energy for his usual coping mechanisms but perhaps it's more direct.

I do also think lockdown had a lot to do with it, people were suddenly a lot more online with a lot more time to both produce and consume content, and communicate with newfound communities in FB gruups/TT comments etc. They had a lot more scope for introspection while doing activities such as gardening. So a confluence of lots of factors lead to the explosion of ADHD realisation/referrals etc.

I'm by no means an expert but I'll throw in my two pence.

I read somewhere that the uptick in ADHD and autism assessments is party due to the massive backlog COVID created in the health service as access to GPs and other health professionals was heavily restricted, and partly due to many people who were kind of just about coping pre-COVID, but COVID and lock downs and all that that entailed pushed them over the threshold and they now recognise things in themselves and are seeking the clarity of an assessment.

Unhelpfully I can't remember the source, but will return to the thread and post it if I remember or find it.

I also think things like FB reels and tiktok were consumed less pre-COVID and there's a lot of content on neurodivergence on there, some of it helpful and factual and other stuff that's just nonsense, but people's awareness has changed massively.

Another thing to consider is that its only recently that medicine is recognising that autism (unsure about ADHD) is likely prevent in females in roughly equal numbers are males. Autism in females can present more internally, for example they could have a special interest in Taylor Swift or their friendship group rather than in trains. Girls/women are often better at masking too. The result is that historically autism was a mostly male diagnosis, but now that's starting to correct as we gain understanding and knowledge.

Lastly, there is some overlap between the signs and symptoms of trauma and ADHD and COVID was traumatic for many (arguably all) to a greater or lesser degree.

I'm cautious about commenting on this as I am awaiting diagnosis but, for me, I think it has been a combination of more awareness of ADHD symptoms, peri-menopause, the children becoming teens and so being up later (and wanting to chat or do things together, needing parenting and taxiing) meaning I don't get any downtime at all any more plus the lockdown experience which meant I had more time in one environment as well as fewer demands on me (albeit when working in a job which was insanely busy and home schooling and not having the usual domestic support of cleaner, part time nanny etc). I've had Covid twice and don't know if that had any effect on my ADHD symptoms/awareness but I think lockdown did.

Long Covid and ME can exacerbate symptoms of many other conditions. However, there is also a significant overlap between the symptoms so it is not always easy to diagnose ME/PCFS in someone with poorly managed ADHD. For example, ADHD can affect recall, attention and concentration but so does long covid. It is understandable that both conditions may then feed into each other.
We still have very little information, scientifically speaking so it's hard to say one way or the other. But what you are saying is plausible.

This is going to sound very odd. I have been diagnosed with adult inattentive adhd and I found my symptoms improved both times when I was ill with Covid. It also happened once when I had the flu. I put it down to my brain and body being so tired that I did not have the energy for racing thoughts. Has anyone else experienced this?

To clarify I was in bed and my mind was calm with no thoughts zinging around.

I also found that my ADHD symptoms got much worse after having kids. I do think it’s partly hormonal (I also find that the frustration and feeling very overwhelmed and stressed is much worse before my period). And it does seem to have improved a bit since I stopped breastfeeding my youngest.
However, it’s mostly the change in lifestyle which meant my old coping mechanisms are no longer enough. Kids come with so much admin and everything involves so many steps and so much extra organization and concentration. The sleep deprivation with babies and toddlers also really exacerbates my symptoms.
I suspect it might be the same with Long Covid/chronic fatigue, people just no longer have the energy they need to mask and make their coping mechanisms work (I can force myself to push through my ADHD symptoms but it’s completely exhausting and is impossible to do when I’m ill or tired).
I also find my blood glucose levels really affect my ADHD symptoms and my ability to manage them (I had gestational diabetes and the correlation was really obvious when I was wearing the sensor). Chronic illness can really affect someone’s ability to plan, make and eat healthy meals (especially if they also have ADHD) which may make the symptoms more noticeable. The same goes for exercise which I find helps with ADHD but might be difficult for someone with Long Covid.