What is ADHD?

Neurology Clinical Practice describes attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as “a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that causes difficulties with sustained attention, executive functioning, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and/or emotional regulation."

The authors explain that "although many people are diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, others seek diagnosis in adulthood."

Symptoms can affect many aspects of an individual’s life, including school, work, relationships, finances, and emotional well-being. The article further notes that "identification and treatment of ADHD can be life-changing for children and adults with ADHD and reduce risk of mortality."

 

Why patients need education

Patients who receive an ADHD diagnosis may wonder whether medication is necessary or how ADHD differs from anxiety, depression, or distraction. During their appointment, a patient may forget the information the doctor provided due to attention difficulties, which can interfere with remembering clinical instructions.

The article further explains that "inattention during conversations in ADHD affects processing of clinical information in the clinic visit and memory of the discussion after patients go home."

As such, providers must use follow-up communication to reinforce given information. More specifically, providers must use HIPAA compliant email to distribute educational articles, symptom explanations, treatment reminders, behavioral strategies, and links to reputable ADHD resources.

HIPAA compliant email solutions, like Paubox, use advanced encryption and access controls to secure individuals’ protected health information (PHI) during transmission and at rest. So, providers can include details of the diagnosis and treatment plan in these emails without compromising patient privacy. This gives patients access to their health information even after they leave the clinic, ultimately improving their understanding and adherence to their ADHD treatment.

Go deeper: How email improves medication education for mental health patients

 

Explaining the three presentations of ADHD

HIPAA compliant emails must address the common misconception that everyone with ADHD behaves the same way. These emails can clarify that ADHD presents differently from person to person.

 

Inattentive presentation

The article explains that ADHD involves "difficulties with sustained attention, executive functioning, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity that impair daily function." Patients with inattentive ADHD often find difficulty in sustaining attention, forgetfulness, losing important items, disorganization, becoming easily distracted, and difficulty completing tasks.

HIPAA compliant emails can explain that these symptoms are neurological, where people with inattentive ADHD may repeatedly reread the same page because their attention drifts without realizing it. Others may miss deadlines despite genuinely intending to complete assignments.

The article also notes that "combined-type and hyperactive/impulsive-type ADHD are more likely to be detected because of disruptive behavior than inattentive-type." As a result, many patients, especially girls and women, may go undiagnosed for years because their symptoms are less visible.

Providers can use HIPAA compliant emails to help patients recognize these patterns and encourage conversations with their healthcare provider.

 

Hyperactive-impulsive presentation

Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms include excessive movement, fidgeting, difficulty remaining seated, interrupting conversations, acting without thinking, and impulsivity.

As evidenced by Neurological Clinical Practice, common behaviors among adults with hyperactive ADHD include "often moving in seat, fidgeting with hands or legs" and "difficulty remaining seated, restlessness, always on the 'go.'"

Providers can use HIPAA compliant emails to educate patients on how impulsivity affects their lives. For example, patients may make purchases without considering the consequences or struggle to wait their turn during conversations. Explaining these behaviors through secure email helps patients recognize symptoms they may never have connected to ADHD.

Providers can also reassure patients that impulsivity is treatable through medication, like Adderall or Strattera, behavioral therapy, coaching, and organizational strategies.

 

Combined presentation

Educational emails can explain that combined ADHD includes characteristics of both presentations, i.e., inattentive and hyperactive symptoms. The article notes that symptoms often change throughout life as responsibilities increase. For many adults, ADHD becomes more noticeable after leaving structured school environments.

The authors explain, "For many adults with ADHD, the severity of symptoms may not be fully apparent to them until they leave structured training... and enter jobs where they have to organize their own time and project management and balance their own home and family responsibilities."

Incorporating this information into HIPAA compliant emails can help patients understand why they may have succeeded academically but now struggle with workplace organization or household responsibilities. Secure follow-up emails can reassure patients that changing symptoms are common and do not mean their diagnosis is incorrect.

 

Explaining that ADHD looks different in adults

Many adults incorrectly assume they cannot have ADHD because they were never diagnosed as children.

Educational emails can explain that symptoms often become more noticeable later in life. "For many adults with lifelong symptoms, an ADHD diagnosis helps them understand many of the difficulties they have in achieving their goals,” the research explains. These emails can, therefore, help patients reframe years of frustration and self-criticism.

Providers can also educate patients that adults may experience fewer obvious signs of hyperactivity while continuing to struggle with executive functioning, planning, emotional regulation, and sustained attention.

HIPAA compliant emails also allow providers to personalize these messages with tailored content, like tips on how to manage their household responsibilities, completing work projects, maintaining relationships, and organizing finances.

 

Helping patients understand what ADHD is not

Educational emails should also explain that many other conditions can resemble ADHD, since "there are many medical problems and external environmental factors that contribute to problems with sustained attention and executive function in adulthood."

Examples include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, fatigue, and major life stress. Patients sometimes assume every attention problem indicates ADHD, while others incorrectly dismiss genuine ADHD symptoms as simple stress. HIPAA compliant emails should encourage patients to get professional help to get clarity on their condition.

 

Reinforcing treatment recommendations

Providers can use secure emails to reinforce evidence-based recommendations after appointments, especially in cases where patients have concerns about taking stimulant medications, like Adderall.

The article emphasizes that "treatment with stimulant or nonstimulant medications for ADHD can be life-changing for adults with ADHD, increasing productivity at home and work, reducing anxiety and impulsive behaviors, and improving interpersonal and community relationships."

Providers can also explain that successful treatment includes behavioral therapy, executive functioning strategies, sleep hygiene, coaching resources, and support groups. HIPAA compliant email can help support these patients with the resources they need, encouraging long-term engagement.

 

Supporting caregivers through secure email

Providers can also use HIPAA compliant to communicate with patients and their caregivers. These emails allow providers to securely explain why certain behaviors occur, offer parenting strategies, and recommend evidence-based resources.

For example, caregivers may benefit from emails discussing the patient's routine, breaking tasks into smaller steps, setting realistic expectations, and supporting medication adherence.

Consequently, better-informed caregivers are often better equipped to support treatment plans at home.

 

Encouraging ongoing communication

As the clinical review concludes, "Adults with ADHD can benefit significantly from both diagnosis of ADHD and treatment with stimulant, nonstimulant medication, and behavioral strategies."

HIPAA compliant emails allow providers to continue communicating with patients outside of their in-person appointments, so they can securely answer non-urgent questions between appointments and clarify possible concerns about symptoms or medication.

These emails are proven to improve patient trust, facilitating patient-centered care and reducing confusion that might otherwise delay treatment. Providers can also send follow-up emails after new diagnoses or behavioral interventions to check on patient progress and encourage adherence.

For example, if a patient struggles to remember their Adderall prescription, a provider can send a reminder email with tips for improving medication adherence and giving them the support they need to better manage their ADHD. Additionally, if a patient prefers behavioral therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy, over medication, providers can send resources and information on local therapists who specialize in that type of treatment.

Ultimately, understanding the patient's specific needs can help empower them and steer them toward the most effective treatment for their mental health.

 

FAQs

Can HIPAA compliant emails improve patient engagement?

Yes, providers can use HIPAA compliant emails to send relevant information to help patients actively participate in their healthcare journey, ultimately improving patient engagement

Go deeper: Ways to use HIPAA compliant email to increase patient engagement

 

Can mental health information be shared without patient consent under HIPAA?

Generally, no. HIPAA requires explicit patient authorization to disclose mental health information, except in emergencies or when required by law.

 

Can providers include attachments in HIPAA compliant emails?

Yes, HIPAA compliant platforms, like Paubox, automatically encrypt attachments, preventing unauthorized disclosure and protecting patient privacy.