• ADHD impacts approximately 2.5% of the adult population in Ireland

Today, the HSE ADHD in Adults National Clinical Programme, in partnership with ADHD Ireland and the UCD School of Psychology, launched an ADHD App to support adults with ADHD.

The development of the Adult ADHD App provides the public with up to date information on adult ADHD as well as services and interventions provided by adult ADHD teams. This is a tool that provides accurate information in real time to support adults with ADHD as well as their family and friends. 

Speaking at the launch today, Dr Margo Wrigley, HSE National Clinical Lead, ADHD in Adults Clinical Programme, explains why the app was developed:

Following extensive research and consultation with the ADHD community facilitated by ADHD Ireland, it is clear that it can be overwhelming and stressful for people with ADHD when trying to find accurate support information and resources online. The app was developed in collaboration with our partners in direct response to that need. We aim to bridge this information gap in a way that is accessible to all those who need it through their smartphones. The app provides self-care and signposting information regarding adult ADHD. It is important to note that is not a treatment programme or a replacement for medical advice and care.

The app is designed to help adults:

• Who think they may have ADHD
• Diagnosed with ADHD and seeking further information
• Diagnosed with ADHD as children and requiring on-going treatment as adults
• Attending mental health services in whom ADHD has not been recognised
• And family and friends of adults with ADHD.

Ken Kilbride, Chief Executive, ADHD Ireland, welcoming the app, said:

We are delighted to support the launch of the app which aligns with our mission to make life better for people living with ADHD in Ireland. A lack of knowledge about ADHD can contribute to feelings of distress and difficulty in seeking and accepting an ADHD diagnosis. The content of the app was developed based on research conducted by University College Dublin’s School of Psychology with support from ADHD Ireland. We consulted with adults with ADHD who helped to prioritise and suggest content that would best meet their needs. This research is conducted as part of a larger project that aims to develop and evaluate supports for adults with ADHD.

Professor Jessica Bramham, UCD School of Psychology said:

The app has been developed, based on current research evidence, to provide a wide range of ways for people to manage their own ADHD. There are now so many more options that can be adapted for the specific needs and preferences of an individual.

Minister for Older People and Mental Health, Mary Butler TD said:

Today marks an important milestone in bridging the information gap in a way that is accessible to the ADHD community through their smartphones. It will provide timely and accurate information also on the existing services including the referral processes involved as well as information on new services as they become available. To date the Department of Health has provided €3.1m in funding to establish Adult ADHD teams with future funding pledged to further show our commitment to adults living with ADHD who require support.

I am particularly delighted to hear that service users played a key role in contributing to the app. I would like to express sincere gratitude to all the adults with ADHD who provided ideas, content, feedback and time to support the app development.

ADHD is a condition that without proper identification, treatment and management can have serious and long-lasting consequences for a person, however, it is a very treatable condition. If diagnosed and properly treated, people with ADHD can reach their potential and lead happy and successful lives.

The ADHD in Adults App can be downloaded from the Apple or Google app stores.

Notes:

ADHD in Adults Model of Care

The HSE National Clinical Programme Model of Care for Ireland was launched in January 2021, providing a roadmap to improve public services to support adults with ADHD. The further rollout of services continues to be a key priority to ensure that a skilled and timely response is provided to adults who require diagnosis and treatment for ADHD.

The Model of Care is based on the Sláintecare principle of integrated care across mental health and primary care services, voluntary services and also third level education and employment services. It fulfils a key recommendation of Sharing the Vision (Action 53) which requires “the phased implementation and evaluation of appropriate service responses to support adults with ADHD be developed and resourced in line with the National Clinical Programme for Adults with ADHD.” 

Research conducted by the UCD School of Psychology: Delphi Study with experts by experience

As part of the development of the app, in collaboration with the HSE National Clinical Programme for ADHD in Adults and ADHD Ireland, UCD School of Psychology conducted a study to investigate the priorities of adults with ADHD for the app as part of Christina Seery’s PhD, which is funded by the Irish Research Council’s Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship. This research has been published in the academic journal, Health Expectations.

Intro: A lack of knowledge about ADHD can contribute to feelings of distress and difficulty in seeking and accepting an ADHD diagnosis. A study was carried out using a Delphi consensus design to investigate the psychoeducational needs of adults with ADHD and the information about ADHD they would like included in digital health interventions for adults with ADHD. Including perspectives of service users in developing such interventions ensures they are evidence based and addresses the risks of engagement barriers.

Method: The expert panel consisted of 43 adults with ADHD (age range 23–67 years). Panel members were asked to rate the importance of the proposed topics and provide additional suggestions. Suggested topics and topics that did not achieve consensus were included for ranking in the second round.

Results: Interquartile ratings were used to determine consensus. A high consensus was achieved in both rounds with an agreement on 94% of topics in the first round and 98% in the second round. Most topics were rated as important or essential.

Conclusions: The findings highlighted that adults with ADHD want to learn about many different aspects of ADHD and the importance of considering their perspectives when developing psychosocial interventions. Findings can be applied when creating psychoeducational content for adult ADHD.

Useful links:

• Adults ADHD App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ingenium.adhdpatientapp
• ADHD in Adults Model of Care https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cspd/ncps/mental-health/adhd/adhd-in-adults-ncp-model-of-care/
• ADHD Ireland https://adhdireland.ie/

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