ADHD is searched for more often than depression and anxiety, new study finds

15 November 202216 June 2023 ~ Vickyw

ADHD is searched for more frequently than depression and anxiety, according to a new study that analysed search data for common health concerns in the UK.

The research, which was conducted by the team at Key Opinion Leaders, examined which health concerns were the most searched for in the UK, by combining Google searches for common health concerns with searches for each health concern’s symptoms as well as treatment.

They found that Google searches for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were significantly higher than that for the common mental health concerns, anxiety, and depression.

Over the past 12 months, there were 335,200 combined searches each month for ADHD, ADHD symptoms, and ADHD treatment on average in the UK. Equivalent searches for anxiety, anxiety symptoms, and anxiety treatment totalled 179,500 monthly searches, while searches for depression proved to be even lower, at 149,500 searches per month on average.

Health concern	‘Health concern’ monthly searches	‘Health concern + symptoms’ monthly searches	‘Health concern + treatment’ monthly searches	Total monthly searches
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)	187,700	144,100	3,400	335,200
Anxiety	102,000	73,000	4,500	179,500
Depression	98,000	50,000	1,500	149,500

These combined searches for ADHD were found to be 86.7% higher on average than equivalent searches for anxiety, and a staggering 124.2% higher than searches for depression.

In fact, across the three search variations, the only time ADHD didn’t come top was ‘ADHD treatment’, which received slightly fewer searches than ‘anxiety treatment’.

Is ADHD on the rise, or are we simply becoming more informed?

Key Opinion Leaders spoke with Educational Psychologist, Dr Kavita Solder, about possible explanations behind this apparent increase in ADHD-related search queries.

“There has been a rise in diagnoses of ADHD amongst children and adults in recent years, in part due to the rise in people’s awareness of the label,” Dr Solder says.

“Amongst the general population, with the help of social media, there has been a push towards raising awareness of mental health and associated conditions. In the past, a diagnosis of ADHD often had a negative stigma attached to it. Thankfully there has been a shift in attitude, most noticeably with younger generations and their acceptance to embrace difference.”

Could short-form content be affecting our attention span?

Dr Solder goes on to add, “Platforms such as TikTok and the reels function on Instagram, promote time-limited videos encouraging young people to concentrate for short periods. It also enables them to swipe endlessly through videos should the one they are watching not capture their attention.

“Research has suggested that young people’s development of attention is shifting, and not necessarily for the worse. Unlike older generations that might have watched more lengthy television programs with limit over choice, young people have a vast amount of entertainment at their fingertips through smartphones and tablets. Therefore, we are becoming better accustomed to switching our attention between things.

“To use a technology analogy, our brain is adapting to tend to multiple items, switching between tabs and windows instantaneously. So whilst the attention span may be shortening, there are advancements being made in multi-faceted attention.

“People have become increasingly concerned with their noticeably short attention spans and with medications such as Methylphenidate more readily available, and in some cases even encouraged on social media platforms, adolescents and adults are seeking advice, intervention, and diagnosis more than ever.”

Which are the UK’s most searched health concerns?

ADHD ranked as the third most searched-for health concern in the UK, behind COVID-19 and Norovirus. For comparison, ‘anxiety’ ranked 18th and ‘depression’ ranked 30th. The UK’s ten most searched-for health concerns are listed below:

The UK’s 10 most searched-for health concerns

#	Health concern	Health concern searches (UK)	Health concern + symptoms searches (UK)	Health concern + treatment searches (UK)	Total monthly searches (UK)
1	COVID-19	1,206,000	994,000	9,700	2,209,700
2.	Norovirus	491,000	38,000	3,400	532,400
3.	Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)	187,700	144,100	3,400	335,200
4.	Chicken pox	283,000	24,000	15,000	322,000
5.	Shingles	264,000	39,000	9,600	312,600
6.	Tonsillitis	247,000	37,000	14,000	298,000
7.	Fibromyalgia	202,000	32,000	4,400	238,400
8.	Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)	117,000	99,900	20,800	237,700
9.	Monkey pox	165,000	55,000	900	220,900
10.	Multiple sclerosis (MS)	162,000	50,800	2,600	215,400

Health concern	‘Health concern’ monthly searches	‘Health concern + symptoms’ monthly searches	‘Health concern + treatment’ monthly searches	Total monthly searches
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)	187,700	144,100	3,400	335,200
Anxiety	102,000	73,000	4,500	179,500
Depression	98,000	50,000	1,500	149,500

UK Employers Recognise the Signs and Symptoms of Burnout

13 October 202222 November 2022 ~ Vickyw

Research shows that employee burnout has steadily risen by 17% since 2020.

People no longer want the archaic working model, actively looking for roles where workplace well-being is prioritised, and more flexibility exists because they’re putting their mental health first.

Research from Deloitte has revealed the cost of poor mental health to UK employers has increased to a staggering £56 billion.

A significant part of the business cost is due to reduced productivity caused by employees who are unwell but still come to work, known as presenteeism.

Burnout goes way beyond a buzzword.

It is impacting businesses on an unprecedented level.

Especially financially, absence due to poor mental health costs employers twice as much as that relating to physical health.

A recent report from Westfield Health found that 59% of respondents said their mental health was driving them to find a new role.

Striking the balance between a healthy, happy workplace and lifestyle for employees has never been more important for businesses.

What is burnout, and how can you recognise the signs and symptoms?

People who find work and the workplace difficult to manage may be at a higher risk of burnout.

Burnout can leave them feeling empty, worn out and unable to handle the weight of life’s obligations.

While burnout is not deemed a psychological disorder, it should still be taken seriously.

Here are three ways to recognise employee burnout:

Cynical disposition

No one loves their job 100% of the time, and some cynicism is natural.

However, if someone is displaying an increased negative outlook both in terms of the work itself and towards their colleagues, this could be a sign of burnout, especially if their normal disposition is usually upbeat.

It could be that they’re displaying signs of more irritability than usual or are unable to accept feedback.

Performance and productivity

Employees suffering from burnout may have been less engaged with their work than normal.

They may feel as though they can’t get anything right and show signs of frustration.

Many people feel unable to manage their frustration and stress levels at work, leading to decreased productivity and, in turn, poorer quality of work.

Detachment

When an employee is experiencing burnout, it can be very difficult for them to feel like they are part of a team, especially if their workload is unmanageable.

Isolation may set in, and they may feel they cannot participate in company activities because that will impact their work, leaving them experiencing more stress and anxiety.

The longer this is the case, the more detached from the business they will feel.

Knowing which work-related pressures trigger burnout and what to avoid as a manager can be most helpful.

Here are some of the key causes of burnout:

Lack of support from their manager and team
Uncertain or excessive expectations
A toxic environment
Feeling unvalued
Pressure to be online/available constantly
Being micromanaged

What can you do to help?

The first thing you should do is be aware and acknowledge that your employee is struggling. Start the conversation – they may feel too stressed or anxious to ask for help, so it’s up to you to look out for the signs and offer help and support.

Be empathetic, as feeling understood at work is crucial in their recovery.

Don’t vilify them for being unable to cope; instead, listen to what they need and recognise the areas where you can help immediately alleviate some of the pressure.

Here are some of the practical ways to offer support:

Check-in with them, but not in a ‘monitoring’ sense, as that will only add to their stress. Drop them a line to see how they are and if they can manage their workload daily.
If your company has mental health support services, ensure they know how to access them and are available to help.
Encourage them to take some time off to relax and reset. Be flexible with their working hours to allow for their current needs.
Delegate their workload across the team to take some of the pressure off. Avoid overwhelming them with projects you know will be highly stressful.
Be human. Yes, it’s work but remembers, we can all experience burnout at any level. They need to feel like a person, not a number.

Preventing burnout

Naturally, avoiding the causes and circumstances that could lead to burnout is the greatest way to safeguard employees’ mental health.

Although doing so might necessitate a total change in your business’ culture, it is vital to foster a nurturing and supportive workplace for your team.

Investing in your people is paramount to your company’s success and profitability.

Research shows that every £1 you invest in employee well-being sees a £5.30 return. A team who feels valued and supported with a work-life and well-being balance is a happier team and, in return, will be far less likely to leave.

So, if you’ve noticed burnout amongst your colleagues, maybe it’s time for a culture shift.

Bamboo Water – The Health Benefits

30 May 202230 May 2022 ~ Vickyw

Juno Bamboo Water is the first botanical water made with infused bamboo leaf and is rich in antioxidants.

For centuries, Bamboo extract has been used as a natural remedy to detoxify the body, stimulate collagen production, and boost immunity. Juno’ Bamboo Water is lightly sparkling and has an aromatic taste like a Japanese iced tea, with a citrusy hint of yuzu.

So what are the health benefits of bamboo leaves?

Bamboo leaves are rich in vitamins and essential minerals such as niacin, vitamin A, vitamin B6, and vitamin E, the body’s most potent antioxidant. It is known to naturally enhance collagen production, help detox the body, and boost natural immunity.

Hydration is fundamental for overall health. 70% of our body is water.

Water is essential for many essential processes in the body, such as carrying necessary glucose, oxygen and nutrients to cells. It’s also vital in eliminating waste from the kidneys.

Just a tiny drop in water level in the body can lead to feelings of dizziness, bring on headaches and contribute to low energy and poor cognitive function.

It’s important to drink between 1.5 – 2 litres of water per day and not consume too many beverages that contain sugar or caffeine. The body needs just pure water.

This refreshing drink is inspired by nature and is naturally sugar-free, caffeine-free, and low in calories. A multi-pack of 12 bottles is available to purchase at www.bamboo-water.com for £26.90.

A new flavour is coming soon – watch this space!

Visit www.bamboo-water.com to find out more.

Stress Awareness Month prompts Healthcare employers to review policies

7 April 202222 November 2022 ~ Vickyw

This month is Stress Awareness Month with the latest statistics demonstrating how important it is for employers to familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of stress.

Mainly an increase in the cost of living threatens to compound the issues faced by many.

With 79% of employed British adults commonly experiencing workplace stress (20% higher than last year), it is an issue that impacts workers across all sectors and occupations, as the latest data shows.

According to a recent study, 84% of those working in Healthcare confirmed they had experienced feelings of work-related stress at some point in their career.

Meanwhile, Government (92%), Telecoms (88%), and Media & Marketing (85%) made up the top three most stressed sectors.

Despite many people hoping that a return to normality in the post-pandemic era would bring about a period of financial stability, the reality of hiked energy prices will undoubtedly exacerbate feelings of stress, which could impact work performance and productivity.

Tina Chander, Head of the Employment Law Team at Wright Hassall, commented: “Much has been said about work-related stress in the last two years, as pandemic-related redundancies and furloughs created an overwhelming sense of uncertainty amongst

workers.

“Unfortunately, just as it looked like the worst of Covid was behind us, a steep increase in the cost of living has left many feeling anxious about their current financial situation.

This directly impacts how they feel at and about work in many cases.

“Considering that 79% of adults already experience workplace stress regularly, this latest news should prompt employers to familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of workplace stress to spot potential cases and offer the necessary support.

“Given that April is Stress Awareness Month, there couldn’t be a perfect time for businesses to review their existing stress management procedures, taking steps to combat the issue, whether with flexible working hours, access to counseling services, or an ‘open-door policy.

“It is in the best interests of employers to do so, as failing to support stressed employees can lead to higher staff turnover, decreased productivity and poor morale, amongst other issues.”

Adam Lachney’s sensational life changing story

6 June 2021 ~ Vickyw

Adam Lachney after life changing injuries

British Musician, Adam Lanceley’s world was turned upside down when only ten years old when he was involved in a devastatingly severe car accident that left him with life changing injuries.

The doctor told him he would likely never be able to walk or talk again. Adam defied the odds and was able to turn his life around.

Though a creative musical soul, sportsman and high-achieving academic, Adam suffered deeply with his mental health.

Experiencing PTSD, severe anxiety and depression, he has spent most of his life living alongside these intrusive mental health struggles, which many of us can relate to.

Adam is a testament to proving that positivity and handwork can enable you to create a better life for yourself whilst also openly discussing and navigating through the negative mental health encounters along the way.

Adam said: “I really don’t remember much of my life before the car crash – just various images – nothing I can connect together in a storyline, though.

“I know I was a very good sportsman, and I know I was a very high achiever academically. “

He added: “I also know I put a hell of a lot of pressure on myself in everything I did!

“But everything just seemed to go black for a while.

“What I remember about regaining consciousness, I’m sure, isn’t the way it was, as in it was probably far more gradual & sporadic than how it’s come to seem to me.

“My life since then has been like several different mini-lives.
When I knew I wouldn’t be able to pursue a career in sport any more, I felt totally at a loss.

The musician stated that he tried acting, which he found he had a natural talent for, even getting into The BRIT School and East 15 Acting School, one of the centres of excellence for drama in the country. However he started to suffer from severe depression and other mental health afflictions.

Adam said: ” I was quite lucky to meet a musician at a part-time job I had who encouraged me to write things I struggled to deal with and have been at college with a sound engineer.

“Without these two things, I don’t know if music would’ve found me.”

For any budding musicians put there Adam said music is a far more effective way of combatting mental health issues than hiding behind someone else’s character.

If you or anyone you know has a life changing experience that you would like to share with us email admin@looneychickblog.co.uk.

How useful celebs and charities for mental health?

25 May 202125 May 2021 ~ Vickyw

Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry pictured for Heads Together Charity.

After reading an article I have to question how useful celebs and charities are when it comes to mental health talks and campaigns?

Social media influencer Joe Sugg is an ambassador for Every Mind Matters, with TV personality Scarlett Moffatt an ambassador for the Samaritans.

Princes William and Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge are also patrons of and founded the mental health charity, Heads Together.

Its all very well having all these charities and celebs who give talks every other mental health day or week but what have they done for mental health.

There are lots of mental health charities here in the UK, however, we still have a rise in mental health especially during the COVID lockdowns.

Its all very well raising money for mental health but who and where does the money actually go to?

Celebrities might not be being paid but they do get travel costs paid for.

Would the money not be better spent on treatments and researching mental health?

Joe Sugg photo shoot for Every Mind Matters

Having worked for a charity before I know that everyone who works at these charities (accept the volunteers) earn a significant amount of money especially the CEO’s.

For example did you know that the CEO for Mind, Richard Brook earns £72,800 per year?

Royalty are also raking in the money as patrons.

They don’t actually do a lot of work just a few media talks and visits and the charity has to pay for their appearances and security.

Back in 2018 Theresa May’s 2018 Green Paper on transforming children and young people’s mental health committed to a radical £300 million shake-up of support in schools.

The government promised its plans would tackle the “burning injustice” of mental health illness.

However, the government have now used the pandemic as an excuse for not delivering and with rising numbers in both young and older people more funding and staff are needed.

The NHS Long Term Plan, published on 7 January 2019, provided a number of further commitments to improve mental health services.

On adult mental health services, the Plan committed to providing an additional 380,000 people per year with access to adult psychological therapies by 2023/24.

It also stated that new services to support patients going through a mental health crisis would be introduced.

I have personally contacted many local mental health charities for help and reached out to the CMHS on many occasions.

Out of the charities I have contacted I have only had success with two, Penhaligan who I’m currently having counselling with and Mind in Devon.

I’m still waiting for Waves Counselling to contact me, I haven’t heard anything from them since my telephone assessment a few months ago.

I received a letter from Trevillis House inviting me to a one off appointment to assess my needs. But I don’t hold out much hope. Watch this space.

The devastating struggle for Counselling

13 April 202113 April 2021 ~ Vickyw

Due to the devastating struggle for counselling in Cornwall, I’ve been having counselling with Penhaligan as the community mental health team is non-existent during the pandemic.

The devastating struggle for counselling in Cornwall has become so severe that I have struggled a lot as have many others during the pandemic.

This led me to seek out emergency crisis teams such as Valued Lives and Mind due to no mental health treatments or support available between 2020 and 2021.

I’m now into my third year of having no mental health support from the Community Mental Health Team, so I’ve had counselling off Penhaligon in Cornwall.

December 2018 was my last CAT therapy appointment at Bolitho House in Penzance, but since moving to South East Cornwall, I’ve had one assessment at Trevillis House.

The psychiatrist told me I would have to accept my original diagnosis, even though they feel it’s incorrect. I’ve been on a waiting list for coping strategy therapy since Summer 2019.

I contacted Value Lives, a crisis centre, after Christmas, and they put me in touch with a free service called Penhaligon counselling.

Within a few weeks, a lady contacted me, and I had one session. Unfortunately, she was unable to continue, so I was put back on the list.

After a week, a man contacted me to say he would be happy to give me some sessions via Zoom due to the pandemic face to face.

Penhaligon Counselling offers free or by donation counselling services from Cornwall College students who are training to be counsellors.

During my sessions, I have been looking at some of the exercises in my CBT and DBT.

Two Exercises that have stood out for me are the REST technique when you look at a situation and write it down and evaluate it.

At first, I thought when I’m angry or upset, I don’t see reason, and like many others, I lash out without looking at the bigger picture.

For example, I could be upset because someone hasn’t messaged me back.

Instead of thinking the person no longer likes me, I should be looking at other options, such as the REST technique.

The second exercise I looked at was emotions and how they link to behaviours.

If being generous makes you happy and is not met with the correct response, upset and anger come out.

When contacting the CMHS team at Trevillis House in Liskeard I was told that I hadn’t been contacted by them due to a lack of staff during the pandemic. So as sad as it is I’m not surprised when I read about the rise in suicides in the last year.

Have you or your loved ones ever tried these techniques? Did they work? What strategies work for you? Let us know in the comments below or on our social media pages.

Reviewing Teen Calm’s Self-Care awesome Box

22 March 202122 March 2021 ~ Vickyw

As a mental health sufferer, I was delighted when Teen Calm’s Self-Care monthly box of goodies arrived having neglected my own personal care regime.

Teen Calm offers monthly and every three-month subscription boxes for both male and female anxious teens full of self-care items.

This is the first-ever box I have reviewed, and being a thirty-something year old I found that the price was a little steep at £25 a month or £75 every three months, and that’s not including postage. Postage costs depend on the type of subscription you choose.

When opening Teen Calm’s Self-Care box, I picked out a card that I will be keeping on the office’s notice board. It’s a good idea to look at positive messages throughout the day.

The next thing to pull out is 54 ways to ease the anxious mind cards. My 10-year old niece and I will be looking at these more closely when we have our chill time in the cabin. Watch out for a blog post on these at a later date.

I then picked out Aromatherapy bath potion sea salt infused with a blend of pure essential oils. This is the perfect thing to use after a long day at school or work.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a bath, so a pity its not or bath and showers. My niece will be enjoying a long relaxing soak in a tub after forest school. I usually have showers to help me relax after a long day.

The handmade lavender soap was a lovely idea. The soap is made by a company called Grace’s Generation.

The worry doll was one of the best surprises as I’ve never seen or heard of these before. The story of the original Guatemalan worry people, apparently you put the doll under your pillow when you go to bed, and in the morning, your worries will disappear. Not sure it works, but I love the doll and the idea.

One of the best items inside the box has to be The Teenage Guide to Stress book, which briefly covers essential teenage issues such as friendships, exams, education, sex, depression, drink and drugs and eating disorders. If a book like this had been available when I was younger, I would have purchased it. I’m happy for my niece to read this as she needs to be aware of these life problems.

This book is available to purchase from £6.55 on Amazon.

The final item I picked out of the box was a pack of love hearts that I will share with my niece as a bit of a treat.

Teen Calm boxes are definitely great for teens as well as young adults. I would love to receive one of these from a family member or friend when I’m feeling low.

Teen Calm’s boxes make me smile as they are packed with full-size random products with fun, exciting new things to try.

I would also say you get more than your money’s worth in this box, and not many other packages have full-size products. These make lovely surprise gifts for pre-teens, teenagers or adults especially during lockdown or other stressful periods such as exams etc.

If you are reading this, but you don’t have a chronic illness or mental health. Self-Care is for absolutely anyone. Self-care is essential to practice daily.

Let us know if you or your teenagers practice self-care?

Moving your mental health forward as life stops!

18 February 202125 February 2021 ~ Vickyw

by Danny Greeves

Its important to keep moving your mental health forward as the country stands still with daily routines are disrupted due to COVID.

In the world prior to the pandemic, we were each in our routine, consistently doing the same actions .

Going to work, meeting friends, and doing the things important to maintaining our mental health (that might have been exercise, meditation etc).

As creatures of habit, when we find something that does a reasonable job, we tend to stick with it, even if it’s not the best possible option.

This is what marketing people call ‘satisficing’; where we take the first thing that we deem to be satisfactory for the problem we face, and we run with it.

With so many changes to our daily living, and a huge increase in time spent at home, the normal routine has been blown out of the water.

But what this does give us, if we use it wisely, is time and space to explore.

There will almost certainly be things you wouldn’t dream of giving up.

It could be that your morning meditation sets you up for a productive day, or an evening run helps you to clear your mind.

There is no need to drop them, but there is a chance to discover new options that ordinarily you wouldn’t have imagined.

As with anything new, it can be a little scary – new people, new environments, new things to learn, all of which can make experimenting with new things more daunting.

The best part of our current circumstances is almost every business has had to move online, or at least provide some form of online service.

This means you are free to try as many new things as you want from the comfort of your own home.

This is an opportunity to really go and explore as many different tools, approaches and methods to help you feel as good as you possibly can.

Although you can’t control the world on the outside, now is the time to optimise your world on the inside.

Have you thought dancing could be the energy and morale booster you’d love but have never quite made a class?

Have you heard arts and crafts help people to feel calm and grounded but didn’t quite get the equipment you needed to get started?

Or maybe you’ve wanted to stick to a 30 day yoga series but life kept getting in the way.

Regardless of the obstacles that prevented it in the past, if you act quickly, you can use this time to begin exploring new possibilities for how you can boost your mood and your body.

As well as pushing past the ‘satisficing’ barrier to discover alternative ways of keeping yourself feeling good, it also provides novel and interesting experiences.

So you get to find what feels good for you, while keeping yourself busy and your brain stimulated.

To get you started, all you need is to sit down with a pen and paper, and brainstorm as many ideas as you can.

Be creative, be unrealistic to start with, let your imagination run wild. As you do you’ll open yourself up to new thinking, and different, more practical ideas will flow towards you.

Once you’ve made your list, prioritise the most intriguing, and create a plan to start experimenting.

If one thing is for sure, you’ll be able to look back on this period and see it as the catalyst to moving your mental health forwards.

So as we approach the one year anniversary of almost constant disruption and uncertainty, we can all be forgiven for having some dips in our mental health.

Human beings are creatures of habit, and we really enjoy the feeling of certainty; from knowing you’ve bought the right house to picking your perfect life partner, that feeling of certainty helps us feel safe and comfortable.

How to keep moving your mental health forward