New Expert White Paper Recommends Framework for Action to Tackle Impact of ADHD on Individuals, Families and Society

Brussels (ots/PRNewswire) -

A new Expert White Paper, ADHD: Making the Invisible Visible, was
today presented to policymakers and key stakeholders by a
multidisciplinary group of experts.

This Expert White Paper project was initiated, facilitated and
funded by Shire AG and supported by the European Brain Council (EBC)
and GAMIAN-Europe (Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy
Networks). Medical writing support was provided by APCO Worldwide and
Complete Medical Communications, and funded by Shire AG.

The Expert White Paper, based on patient research and independent
expert opinion, demonstrates the substantial impact Attention
Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can have on an individual from
childhood into adulthood, in addition to the broader impact on
families, welfare systems and national budgets. ADHD: Making the
Invisible Visible was launched by co-authors Dr Susan Young, Dr
Michael Fitzgerald, and Dr Maarten J Postma.

The findings of the Expert White Paper are supported by MEP, Nessa
Childers, co-chair of the European Parliament Interest Group on
Mental Health: "Mental health problems such as ADHD are unfortunately
becoming far less of a priority on the political agenda, particularly
due to the current economic crisis resulting in widespread cutbacks
in resources. ADHD is one of the most neglected and misunderstood
psychiatric conditions in Europe. Very few people affected by ADHD
receive appropriate diagnosis and support, which leads to a
significant impact on quality of life and society. I am pleased that
this Expert White Paper lays out sensible and practical
recommendations to help ensure better recognition and management of
ADHD by all relevant stakeholders working in healthcare, schools, the
criminal justice system and the workplace."

ADHD affects 1 in 20 children and adolescents in Europe[1] and, in
many cases, persists into adulthood.[2] The Paper highlights that
adolescents with a history of childhood ADHD tend to experience
greater peer rejection and have fewer close friendships[3] and that
children with ADHD are more likely to be bullied than their peers.[4]
Academic outcomes are also highlighted as a key impact area for
people with ADHD if not managed effectively, and problems at school
may evolve into difficulties finding and maintaining stable
employment.[5]-[7]

"This Expert White Paper provides clear evidence that ADHD can
have a marked impact on self-esteem, social functioning and academic
outcomes," said Dr Mary Baker, President of the European Brain
Council. "It also shows that timely and effective management can
improve quality of life and, with appropriate support, there is
potential for people with ADHD to lead fulfilled and successful
lives. We want to give everyone with ADHD this opportunity."

The Paper also highlights the broader psychological impact of
ADHD, particularly on parents who may also be affected and can
experience depression, anxiety and stress.[8],[9] ADHD can also have
a negative and pervasive impact, with wide-ranging associated costs
in terms of healthcare or other services and long-term consequences
for multiple aspects of life.[10]

The Expert White Paper sets out five clear, workable
recommendations (including specific goals and a list of suggested
actions) to help tackle the impact of ADHD on individuals, families
and society:

1) Increase informed awareness of ADHD
2) Improve access to early and accurate diagnosis of ADHD, especially via the
introduction of early identification and intervention programmes in different policy
areas (i.e., education, mental health-related services, criminal justice services and
the workplace)
3) Improve access to ADHD treatment and develop a multidisciplinary
patient-centred approach to ADHD care and support
4) Involve and support patient organisations
5) Encourage a patient-centred research agenda on ADHD, through more
quantitative and qualitative research and through more involvement of allied
stakeholders in developing priorities for future research.

"This Expert White Paper not only confirms the impact of ADHD, but
most importantly presents solutions to address the societal impact,
costs and long-term outcomes for affected individuals," said Pedro
Montellano, President of GAMIAN-Europe. "These concrete,
expert-informed recommendations provide policy makers with a chance
to improve the lives of those affected by ADHD and reduce the cost on
national welfare systems across Europe. By working together we can
make a real difference."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About the Expert White Paper

'ADHD: Making the Invisible Visible', An Expert White Paper on
ADHD: policy solutions to address the societal impact, costs and
long-term outcomes, in support of affected individuals.

This Expert White Paper project was initiated, facilitated and
funded by Shire AG and supported by the European Brain Council (EBC)
and GAMIAN-Europe (Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy
Networks). Medical writing support was provided by APCO Worldwide and
Complete Medical Communications, and funded by Shire AG.

The Paper was developed on the basis of a European Expert
Roundtable on ADHD, with the participation of clinicians, patient
advocacy groups and representatives from the education and criminal
justice systems. The Roundtable addressed specific issues and
challenges around the management of ADHD and provided a forum for the
discussion of policy recommendations. The three co-authors, Dr Susan
Young, Professor Michael Fitzgerald and Professor Maarten J Postma,
formulated the outcomes of the Roundtable into the White Paper, which
reflects their views based on their clinical and scientific
experiences.

About The European Brain Council (EBC;
http://www.europeanbraincouncil.org)

The EBC is a coordinating council formed by European organisations
in neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, basic brain research
(neuroscience), as well as patient organisations and industry. It
represents a vast network of patients, doctors and scientists, and
these stakeholders along with its industrial partners make it suited
to work in close partnership with the EU Commission, the European
Parliament and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as other
decision-making bodies. The EBC was officially founded on 22 March
2002 in Brussels, and has offices in Brussels and Florence.

About GAMIAN-Europe (Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy
Networks; http://www.gamian.eu).

GAMIAN-Europe was established in 1998 as a representative
coalition of patient organisations. Putting the patient at the centre
of all issues of the EU healthcare debate, the organisation aims to
bring together and support the development and policy influencing
capacity of local, regional and national organisations active in the
field of mental health. GAMIAN-Europe currently brings together some
50 organisations (local, regional and national) from 20 European
countries.

About Shire AG

Shire AG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shire plc.

Shire enables people with life-altering conditions to lead better
lives. Through our deep understanding of patients' needs, we develop
and provide healthcare in the areas of:

- Behavioral Health and Gastro Intestinal conditions
- Rare Diseases
- Regenerative Medicine

as well as other symptomatic conditions treated by specialist
physicians.

We aspire to imagine and lead the future of healthcare, creating
value for patients, physicians, policymakers, payors and our
shareholders.

http://www.shire.com

Co-authors and Contributors

Name Title Organisation

Co-authors

Susan Young Clinical Senior Lecturer in King's College London,
Forensic Clinical Psychology Institute of Psychiatry, UK

Michael Fitzgerald Henry Marsh Professor of Trinity College,
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Dublin, Ireland

Maarten J Postma Professor in Pharmacoeconomics University of Groningen,
the Netherlands

Contributors

Phil Anderton Management Consultant and Justice in Mind Ltd
Director

Kate Carr-Fanning Vice Chairperson Hyperactivity Attention Deficit
Disorder (HADD), Ireland
PhD candidate School of Education, Trinity
College, Dublin, Ireland

Goof Buijs Senior Consultant and School for Health Europe (SHE)
Programme Manager Dutch Institute for Healthcare
Improvement (CBO), Utrecht,
the Netherlands

Stephanie Clark Core group Aandacht Adult ADHD Support
Groups, Belgium

Dolores Gauci Immediate Past President GAMIAN-Europe (Global Alliance
of Mental Illness Advocacy
Networks)

Fulgencio Madrid President Spanish Federation of ADHD
Conesa Supporting Associations
(FEAADAH)

Myriam Menter Chief Executive Officer ADHS Deutschland, Germany

Joanne Norris President and Education Chair ADHD-ASC-LD Family Resources,
Belgium

David Nutt Vice-President European Brain Council (EBC)

Gil Zalsman Chair of Child and Adolescent European Psychiatric
Psychiatry Association (EPA), France

Medical writing support was provided by APCO Worldwide and
Complete Medical Communications, and funded by Shire AG

References

1) Polanczyk G, et al. The worldwide prevalence of ADHD: a systematic review
and metaregression analysis. Am J Psychiatry 2007;164:942-948.
2) Lara C, et al. Childhood predictors of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder: results from the World Health Organization World Mental Health Survey
Initiative. Biol Psychiatry 2009;65:46-54.
3) Bagwell CL, et al. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and problems in
peer relations: predictions from childhood to adolescence. J Am Acad Child Adolesc
Psychiatry 2001;40:1285-1292.
4) Holmberg K, Hjern A. Bullying and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in
10 year olds in a Swedish community. Dev Med Child Neurol 2008;50:134-138.
5) Biederman J, et al. Functional impairments in adults with self-reports of
diagnosed ADHD: a controlled study of 1001 adults in the community. J Clin Psychiatry
2006;67:524-540.
6) Barkley RA, et al. Young adult outcome of hyperactive children: adaptive
functioning in major life activities. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry
2006;45:192-202.
7) Knapp M, et al. Economic outcomes in adulthood and their associations with
antisocial conduct, attention deficit and anxiety problems in childhood. J Ment Health
Policy Econ 2011;14:137-147.
8) Cussen A, et al. Relationship between symptoms of
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and family functioning: a community-based
study. Eur J Pediatr 2012;171:271-280.
9) Pimentel MJ, et al. Mothers of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity
disorder: relationship among parenting stress, parental practices and child behaviour.
Atten Defic Hyperact Disord 2011;3:61-68.
10) Shaw M, Hodgkins P, Caci H, et al. A systematic review and analysis of
long-term outcomes in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: effects of treatment
and non-treatment. BMC Med. 2012;10(1):99.

For further information please contact:

Just:: Health PR
Rachel Bonny
+44-20-8877-8426
rachel@justhealthpr.com

Ali Spink,
+44-7980-924-298
ali@justhealthpr.com

European Brain Council
Evelyn Sipido
+39-055-43-62-098
evelyn.sipido@unifi.it

GAMIAN-Europe
Paul Arteel
+32-494-52-79-80
executive.director@gamian.eu

ots Originaltext: The European Brain Council, Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks-Europe and Shire AG
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