In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with psychiatrist Dr. Edward Hallowell, we discuss challenges and disparities in treating adult ADHD during the pandemic.
MD Newsline:
What are the biggest challenges that psychiatrists treating adult ADHD are tasked with in the wake of the pandemic?
Dr. Edward Hallowell:
“Since the start of the pandemic, we now have a big advantage because we can use Zoom and other video platforms to see patients via telemedicine. Patients who could not come into the office to see me due to geographic limitations can now see me. It’s been a tremendous help. I now see a lot of patients that I never could have seen before thanks to telemedicine.”
MD Newsline:
Do you think adult ADHD disparities have worsened during the pandemic?
Dr. Edward Hallowell:
“The pandemic and the social isolation it’s resulted in have made life more difficult for all of us, including people with ADHD. Social isolation is really bad for you. Studies from the 1970s established as medical fact that social isolation is as bad for your health as cigarette smoking. And if you’re not connected, you’re not grounded, centered, or focused, which is challenging for all of us but especially for people with ADHD.
So, we need connection. We really, really do. I call it the other ‘vitamin C.’ If you’re socially isolated, it’s important to do everything you possibly can to connect and maintain social ties. We may have to keep social distance physically, but we should not keep social distance emotionally.”
Responses have been condensed and lightly edited.
