Marketing Scoops

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Unlocking Workplace Productivity: Tackling The Hidden Challenges Behind ADHD And More

getty

In today’s demanding corporate landscape, productivity isn’t just a metric it’s a mandate. Yet despite the growing availability of performance enhancing tools, many teams still grapple with underperformance, disengagement and burnout. What’s often overlooked is that productivity issues aren’t always the result of poor work ethic; rather, they’re often symptoms of deeper cognitive and organizational challenges such as ADHD……..Continue reading….

By: Ofer Lidsky

Source: Forbes

Critics:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation that are excessive and pervasive, impairing in multiple contexts, and developmentally inappropriate. ADHD symptoms arise from executive dysfunction.

Impairments resulting from deficits in self-regulation such as time management, inhibition, task initiation, and sustained attention can include poor professional performance, relationship difficulties, and numerous health risks, collectively predisposing to a diminished quality of life and a reduction in life expectancy. As a consequence, the disorder costs society hundreds of billions of US dollars each year, worldwide.

It is associated with other mental disorders as well as non-psychiatric disorders, which can cause additional impairment. While ADHD involves a lack of sustained attention to tasks, inhibitory deficits also can lead to difficulty interrupting an already ongoing response pattern, manifesting in the perseveration of actions despite a change in context whereby the individual intends the termination of those actions.

This symptom is known colloquially as hyperfocus and is related to risks such as addiction and types of offending behaviour. ADHD can be difficult to tell apart from other conditions. ADHD represents the extreme lower end of the continuous dimensional trait (bell curve) of executive functioning and self-regulation, which is supported by twin, brain imaging and molecular genetic studies. The precise causes of ADHD are unknown in most individual cases.

Meta-analyses have shown that the disorder is primarily genetic with a heritability rate of 70–80%, where risk factors are highly accumulative. The environmental risks are not related to social or familial factors; they exert their effects very early in life, in the prenatal or early postnatal period. However, in rare cases, ADHD can be caused by a single event including traumatic brain injury, exposure to biohazards during pregnancy, or a major genetic mutation.

As it is a neurodevelopmental disorder, there is no biologically distinct adult-onset ADHD except for when ADHD occurs after traumatic brain injury. ADHD is divided into three primary presentations:

predominantly inattentive (ADHD-PI or ADHD-I)
predominantly hyperactive-impulsive (ADHD-PH or ADHD-HI)
combined presentation (ADHD-C).

The table “Symptoms” lists the symptoms for ADHD-I and ADHD-HI from two major classification systems. Symptoms which can be better explained by another psychiatric or medical condition which an individual has are not considered to be a symptom of ADHD for that person. In DSM-5, subtypes were discarded and reclassified as presentations of the disorder that change over time.

An association between ADHD and hyperfocus, a state characterised by intense and narrow concentration on a specific stimulus, object or task for a prolonged period of time has been widely reported in the popular science press and media. The phenomenon generally occurs when an individual is engaged in activities they find highly interesting, or which provide instant gratification, such as video games or online chatting.

Hyperfocus is not a recognised symptom of ADHD in diagnostic manuals, but is frequently referred to as a symptom of ADHD in academic literature and commonly reported in patients with ADHD in clinical practice. There is a lack of research into hyperfocus in ADHD. Studies in 2016, 2019 and 2024 found that individuals with ADHD diagnoses or self-reported ADHD symptoms experience hyperfocus more often, or more acutely.

A 2020 study did not find a higher frequency of hyperfocus in adults with ADHD, although it reported a positive correlation with self-reported ADHD traits. The discrepancy with other studies may reflect varying definitions and conceptions of hyperfocus. A state of hyperfocus has been hypothesised as being beneficial, allowing individuals to focus on tasks for much longer than is typical. Conversely, it can be difficult to disengage from and shift attention to other stimuli or tasks, leading to excessively prolonged attention.

It is related to risks such as internet addiction (see § Problematic digital media use) and to some types of offending behaviour. Recent research has linked hyperfocus to the psychological concepts of flow, an enjoyable experience of deep engagement in an activity, and perseveration, difficulty disengaging or switching from an activity.

ADHD arises from brain maldevelopment especially in the prefrontal executive networks that can arise either from genetic factors (different gene variants and mutations for building and regulating such networks) or from acquired disruptions to the development of these networks and regions involved in executive functioning and self-regulation. Their reduced size, functional connectivity, and activation contribute to the pathophysiology of ADHD, as well as imbalances in the noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems that mediate these brain regions.

Genetic factors play an important role; ADHD has a heritability rate of 70–80%. The remaining 20–30% of variance is mediated by de-novo mutations and non-shared environmental factors that provide for or produce brain injuries; there is no significant contribution of the rearing family and social environment. Very rarely, ADHD can also be the result of abnormalities in the chromosomes. As with many other psychiatric disorders, a formal diagnosis should be made by a qualified professional based on a set number of criteria.

In the United States, these criteria are defined by the American Psychiatric Association in the DSM. Based on the DSM-5 criteria published in 2013 and the DSM-5-TR criteria published in 2022, there are three presentations of ADHD:

ADHD, predominantly inattentive presentation, presents with symptoms including being easily distracted, forgetful, daydreaming, disorganisation, poor sustained attention, and difficulty completing tasks.
ADHD, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, presents with excessive fidgeting and restlessness, hyperactivity, and difficulty waiting and remaining seated.
ADHD, combined presentation, is a combination of the first two presentations.

Atomoxetine, due to its lack of addiction liability, may be preferred in those who are at risk of recreational or compulsive stimulant use, although evidence is lacking to support its use over stimulants for this reason. Atomoxetine alleviates ADHD symptoms through norepinephrine reuptake and by indirectly increasing dopamine in the pre-frontal cortex, sharing 70–80% of the brain regions with stimulants in their produced effects.

Atomoxetine has been shown to significantly improve academic performance. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews have found that atomoxetine has comparable efficacy, equal tolerability and response rate (75%) to methylphenidate in children and adolescents. In adults, efficacy and discontinuation rates are equivalent.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder”.

Anxiety or ADHD? Why They Sometimes Look the Same and How to Tell the Difference”.

Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder”.

European Psychiatry.

The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder”.

The Neurocognitive Profile of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Review of Meta-Analyses”.

Meta-analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of inhibition and attention in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

WorkplaceADHD ,ADHDAwareness ,ProductivityTips ,MentalHealthMatters ,FocusStrategies ,EmployeeWellbeing ,WorkplaceWellness #Neurodiversity ,ADHDSupport ,HealthyWorkEnvironment ,TimeManagement ,WorkLifeBalance ,MindfulnessAtWork ,TeamSupport ,InclusionMatters ,WorkplaceStress ,ADHDCopingStrategies ,CareerDevelopment ,SelfImprovement , Productivity , WorkplaceFatigue

Fediverse Reactions

Cream Cleansers Are the Skincare Comfort You Didn’t Know You Needed

Getty Images

Even minimalists know that finding the best cleanser is one of those non-negotiable steps of a simple skincare routine. Even if you don’t wear make-up or go out into a polluted city often, you still need it to rinse off the day’s grime, sunscreen, sweat, excess oil and dead skin cells. A lovely thought that will either reinforce the importance of or encourage you to start washing your face twice daily…….Continue reading…

By Lucy Abbersteen

Source: Marie Claire UK

Critics:

Taking care of one’s overall health improves one’s skin, such as attention to diet and lifestyle. Oxidative stress is widely recognized as a contributing factor to skin aging. Drinking enough water may help to keep skin hydrated, especially in individuals who are chronically dehydrated. A poor diet lacking vitamins can lead to skin problems, such as scurvy, pellagra, and numerous subclinical pathologies that have not been studied in detail.

Lack of sleep has been shown to make conditions like atopic dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis worse, and these conditions have in turn been shown to reduce sleep quality. Skin care products help clean, protect, and improve the skin. In the U.S., the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act groups these products into two main categories: cosmetics and drugs. Drugs must go through a strict approval process before they can be sold.

Cosmetics, on the other hand, do not need FDA approval before being sold, though they are still regulated. Cosmetics are used to cleanse or enhance appearance, like face washes and moisturizers. Medications are meant to treat or prevent health issues, such as acne creams or sunscreen. Some products, like dandruff shampoos and moisturizing sunscreens, fit into both categories.

Cosmeceuticals, although not officially recognized by the FDA, combine cosmetics with “biologically active ingredients” that may have health benefits. Nutricosmetics are products taken by mouth instead of being applied to the skin. Here are some common ingredients and what they do:

Hyaluronic acid: Keeps skin hydrated.
Retinol: Helps with wrinkles and acne.
Vitamin C: Brightens skin and protects from damage.
Niacinamide: Reduces redness and oil.
Salicylic acid: Helps with acne.
Glycolic acid: Removes dead skin cells.
Ceramides: Strengthen skin and keep it moisturized.
Peptides: Help skin stay firm and smooth.

The labels on cleansing and skin care products can be confusing because they use unclear words like “mild” or “gentle”. This makes it hard to know how well a product works or what it actually does. Just because a product has a certain ingredient doesn’t mean it is effective—how well it works depends on the whole formula and how it is used. People often mix up what a product does (like moisturizing) with what an ingredient does (like glycerin keeping moisture in or petrolatum protecting the skin)

Skin care interventions consist of applying one or more products to specific areas of the skin in a specific order. A skin care routine may consist of the following steps:

Cleansing: Cleansers remove dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin. Their application process may include washing with water or they may be formulated as soapless or “no-rinse”.
Exfoliation: Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover. This can be done using physical exfoliants (scrubs) or chemical exfoliants (AHAs and BHAs). Over-exfoliation should be avoided to prevent irritation.
Toning: Toners help balance the skin’s pH and prepare it for moisturizing. They may also provide additional benefits, such as hydration, soothing effects, or acne prevention.
Targeted treatment: Specialized products such as serums, masks, and eye cream contain active ingredients to address specific skin concerns.
Moisturizing: Moisturizing helps to lock in hydration and maintain the skin’s natural barrier. Different formulations exist for different skin types, such as lightweight gels for oily skin and rich creams for dry skin.

Instructions for how much to use, how often, and for how long are not always clean. Dermatologists normally recommend that children wash their skin with a mild cleanser, use moisturizing lotion as needed, and wear sunscreen every day.Elaborate skin care routines are promoted on social media platforms such as TikTok.

This has led to children and teens using harsh and inappropriate products, such as anti-aging products, which provide no benefit to young skin and may be harmful. It has also encouraged children and teens to wear sunscreen every day. Skin ageing is associated with increased skin vulnerability, and the texture and colour of the skin can change over time. Although wrinkles occur naturally due to ageing, smoking can intensify the appearance of wrinkles.

Sunspots, dryness, wrinkles, and melanomas can occur from UV exposure over time, whether it be through the sun or through tanning beds. Exposure to UV can make skin less elastic. Skin problems including pruritus are common in the elderly but are often inadequately addressed. A literature review of studies assessing the maintenance of skin integrity in the elderly found most studies to have low levels of evidence, but the review concluded that skin-cleansing with synthetic detergents or amphoteric surfactants induced less skin dryness than using soap and water.

Moisturizers with humectants helped with skin dryness and skin barrier occlusive reduced skin injuries. When taking baths or showers, using warm water rather than hot water can aid with dryness. There is limited evidence that moisturizing soap bar; combinations of water soak, oil soak, and lotion are effective in maintaining the skin integrity of elderly people when compared to. Radiation induces skin reactions in the treated area, particularly in the axilla, head and neck, perineum and skin fold regions.

Formulations with moisturising, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and wound healing properties are often used, but no preferred approach or individual product has been identified as best practice. Soft silicone dressings that act as barriers to friction may be helpful. In breast cancer, calendula cream may reduce the severity of radiation effects on the dark spot corrector. Deodorant use after completing radiation treatment has been controversial but is now recommended for practice.

Evidence-Based Skin Care: A Systematic Literature Review and the Development of a Basic Skin Care Algorithm”

Examining How Diet and Lifestyle Influence Skin Appearance through a Common Risk Factor: Excess Iron—A Comprehensive Review”.

Sleep disorders in dermatology – a comprehensive review”.

BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA)” (PDF).

Which skin care products should young girls use? Dermatologists recommend this simple routine”.

Hygiene and emollient interventions for maintaining skin integrity in older people in hospital and residential care settings”.

Acne clinical guideline”.

Topical Acne Drug Products”.

Generalized Dermatitis in Clinical Practice.

Microencapsulated Benzoyl Peroxide for Rosacea in Context: A Review of the Current Treatment Landscape”.