Mental Health Disorders - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Pathway Contributor: Susan Firus

Credentials:
BHE

Bio:
Susan Firus received a Bachelor of Home Economics (dietetics) degree from the University of British Columbia and completed her dietetic internship at Vancouver General Hospital. Her first position was as the dietitian for the Diabetes Specialty Centre and Lipid Clinic at Shaughnessy Hospital. Most of her career was spent working at Dial-A-Dietitian, later Dietitian Services at HealthLinkBC, where she was initially a contact centre dietitian and in later years, a manager. Susan worked closely with Dietitians of Canada on the development of CPEN, a version of PEN customized for a call centre, which was launched simultaneously with PEN. She also assisted with the launch of EatRight Ontario. Susan is currently a contractor for Dietitians of Canada as a PEN evidence analyst.

contributed to the following Practice Questions:

• Do children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have fewer ADHD symptoms when they consume a gluten-free diet?  

  Last Updated: 2017-10-24

  Role: Reviewer

• Do children who are hyperactive or children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who consume diets low in sugar, compared to children who consume diets high in sugar, experience less behavioural problems?  

  Last Updated: 2017-10-24

  Role: Reviewer

• Do children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) benefit from homeopathic treatments?  

  Last Updated: 2017-11-15

  Role: Reviewer

• Do children who are hyperactive or children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who consume diets low in food additives (e.g. artificial food colours or preservatives), compared to children who consume diets high in food additives, experience less behavioural problems?  

  Last Updated: 2017-10-24

  Role: Reviewer

• Do children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have lower iron, zinc or magnesium status? Does iron, zinc or magnesium supplementation improve ADHD symptoms?  

  Last Updated: 2017-10-24

  Role: Reviewer

• Do children and adults with attention deficiency hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who are treated with stimulant medication have more nutrition-related side-effects (appetite suppression and stomach pains) than those treated without medication?  

  Last Updated: 2017-10-24

  Role: Reviewer

• For adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is any special diet associated with an improvement in ADHD symptoms?  

  Last Updated: 2018-11-13

  Role: Reviewer

• Is there evidence to support polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation (PUFA, omega-3 or omega-6) for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?  

  Last Updated: 2018-11-13

  Role: Reviewer

• Mental Health Disorders - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Background

  View Resource

  Last Updated: 2017-10-24

  Role: Reviewer

• Mental Health Disorders - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Practice Guidance Toolkit

  View Toolkit

  Last Updated: 2019-01-26

  Role: Author