Is camouflaging unique for autism? A comparison of camouflaging between adults with autism and ADHD

Camouflaging (using (un)conscious strategies to appear as non-autistic) is thought to be an important reason for late autism diagnoses and mental health difficulties. However, it is unclear whether only autistic people camouflage or whether people with other neurodevelopmental or mental health conditions also use similar camouflaging strategies. Therefore, in this preregistered study (AsPredicted: #41811) study, we investigated if adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD) also camouflage. Adults aged 30-90 years filled in the Dutch Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q-NL), the ADHD Self-Report (ADHD-SR) and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). We investigated differences in camouflaging between adults with ADHD, autism, and a comparison group in an age and sex-matched subsample (N = 105 per group). We explored if autism and ADHD traits explained camouflaging levels in adults with an autism and/or ADHD diagnosis (N = 477). Adults with ADHD scored higher on total camouflaging and assimilation subscale compared to the comparison group. However, adults with ADHD scored lower on total camouflaging, and subscales compensation and assimilation than autistic adults. Autism traits, but not ADHD traits, were a significant predictor of camouflaging, independent of diagnosis. Thus, camouflaging does not seem to be unique to autistic adults, since adults with ADHD also show camouflaging behavior, even though not as much as autistic adults. However, as the CAT-Q-NL specifically measures camouflaging of autistic traits it is important to develop more general measures of camouflaging, to compare camouflaging more reliably in people with different mental health conditions. Furthermore, focusing on camouflaging in adults with ADHD, including potential consequences for late diagnoses and mental health seems a promising future research avenue.

Consequences of a benzodiazepine discontinuation programme in family practice on psychotropic medication prescription to the participants

BACKGROUND

Whether long-term benzodiazepine users who participate in a family practice-based benzodiazepine discontinuation programme substitute benzodiazepines by other psychotropics is not clear.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of a benzodiazepine discontinuation programme on non-benzodiazepine psychotropic prescription in family practice.

METHODS

In family practices in the Netherlands, 2425 long-term benzodiazepine users participated in a two-step benzodiazepine discontinuation programme. The programme started with a discontinuation letter (Step 1). Subjects unable to stop (N = 1707) were offered participation in Step 2, a three-group randomized trial with a taper procedure with group psychotherapy, a taper without psychotherapy and usual care. Only 156 subjects agreed to participate. The comparison group consisted of 1821 long-term users from family practices not participating in the programme. The main outcome was the change in prescription of non-benzodiazepine psychotropic medication from baseline (3 months before the start of the programme) till 21 months after the start of the programme. Four logistic regression models were performed concerning antidepressant prescription in the follow-up.

RESULTS

Only antidepressants were prescribed in relevant numbers. The prescription of antidepressants was not related to the programme. (P-value of experimental versus control group varied between 0.18 and 0.85 in the four models). The most important predictor of antidepressant prescription in follow-up was baseline antidepressant prescription [odds ratio (OR): 67.2; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 49.8-90.7]. Subjects, of whom the prescription of benzodiazepines had been discontinued completely, had been prescribed less antidepressants (OR: 0.8; 95% CI: 0.6-1.0).

CONCLUSION

An effective benzodiazepine reduction programme was not accompanied by a substitute use of other psychotropics.

The absence of benzodiazepine craving in a general practice benzodiazepine discontinuation trial

This study aimed to assess benzodiazepine craving longitudinally and to describe its time course by means of the Benzodiazepine Craving Questionnaire (BCQ). Subjects were long-term benzodiazepine users participating in a two-part treatment intervention aimed to reduce long-term benzodiazepine use in general practice in The Netherlands. Four repeated measurements of benzodiazepine craving were taken over a 21-month follow-up period. Results indicated that (1) benzodiazepine craving severity decreased over time, (2) patients still using benzodiazepines experienced significantly more severe craving than patients who had quit their use after one of the two interventions, and (3) the way in which patients had attempted to quit did not influence the experienced craving severity over time, however, (4) patients who had received additional tapering off, on average, reported significantly more severe craving than patients who had only received a letter as an incentive to quit. Although benzodiazepine craving is prevalent among (former) long-term benzodiazepine users during and after discontinuation, craving severity decreases over time to negligible proportions. Self-reported craving can be longitudinally monitored and quantified by means of the BCQ.

Predictors of discontinuation of benzodiazepine prescription after sending a letter to long-term benzodiazepine users in family practice

BACKGROUND

Predictors of benzodiazepine discontinuation after sending a discontinuation letter by the family practitioner have not been established sufficiently.

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors of short- and long-term discontinuation of benzodiazepine use and relapse in use after a minimal intervention with a discontinuation letter followed by an offer for an evaluation consultation.

METHODS

Predictors of benzodiazepine discontinuation and relapse in use were studied by logistic regression analysis and survival analysis within a family practice population of long-term benzodiazepine users (n = 1707) addressed by a discontinuation letter and followed for 21 months.

RESULTS

A lower baseline prescription, a shorter duration of use, male gender and use of an agent with a half-life time <24 hours were predictive of complete discontinuation in the short (6 months) and long term (21 months). Multiple agent use at baseline, use of antidepressants at 6 months and benzodiazepine type (anxiolytic/hypnotic) at baseline predicted relapse. Attendance at an evaluation consultation 3 months after the letter was sent was not predictive of discontinuation or relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

Amount of baseline use and duration of use are the main determinative characteristics of successful discontinuation. The discontinuation letter intervention is suitable for use with a broad group of long-term benzodiazepine users in family practice and can be used as a first step within a stepped care approach to decrease long-term benzodiazepine use.

Long-term outcome of two forms of randomised benzodiazepine discontinuation

About two-thirds of long-term users of benzodiazepines in the population are able to discontinue this drug with the aid of supervised programmes for tapering off. Little is known about the long-term outcome of such programmes, and they have never been compared with usual care. After a 15-month follow-up of a randomised controlled trial comparing such a programme with and without psychotherapy with usual care, we found significantly higher longitudinal abstinence rates in long-term benzodiazepine users who received a benzodiazepine tapering-off programme without psychotherapy (25 out of 69, 36%) compared with those who received usual care (5 out of 33,15%; P=0.03).

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Benzodiazepine Craving Questionnaire

AIM

To assess the scalability, reliability and validity of a newly constructed self-report questionnaire on craving for benzodiazepines (BZs), the Benzodiazepine Craving Questionnaire (BCQ).

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The BCQ was administered once to a sample of 113 long-term and 80 former long-term general practice BZ users participating in a large BZ reduction trial in general practice.

MEASUREMENTS

(1) Unidimensionality of the BCQ was tested by means of the Rasch model. (2) The Rasch-homogeneous BCQ items were assessed for subject and item discriminability. (3) Discriminative and construct validity were assessed.

FINDINGS

The BCQ met the requirements for Rasch homogeneity, i.e. BZ craving as assessed by the scale can be regarded as a unidimensional construct. Subject and item discriminability were good. Construct validity was modest. Highest significant associations were found with POMS depression (Kendall's tau-c = 0.15) and Dutch Shortened MMPI negativism (Kendall's tau-c = 0.14). Discriminative validity was satisfactory. Highest discriminative power was found for a subset of eight items (Mann-Whitney U Z = - 3.6, P = 0.000). The first signs of craving are represented by the acknowledgement of expectations of positive outcome, whereas high craving is characterized by direct intention to use.

CONCLUSIONS

The BCQ proved to be a reliable and psychometrically sound self-report instrument to assess BZ craving in a general practice sample of long-term BZ users.

Tapering off long-term benzodiazepine use with or without group cognitive-behavioural therapy: three-condition, randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Benzodiazepine withdrawal programmes have never been experimentally compared with a nonintervention control condition.

AIMS

To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of tapering off long-term benzodiazepine use in general practice, and to evaluate the value of additional group cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT).

METHOD

A 3-month randomised, 3-month controlled trial was conducted in which 180 people attempting to discontinue long-term benzodiazepine use were assigned to tapering off plus group CBT, tapering off alone or usual care.

RESULTS

Tapering off led to a significantly higher proportion of successful discontinuations than usual care (62% nu. 21%). Adding group CBT did not increase the success rate (58% v. 62%). Neither successful discontinuation nor intervention type affected psychological functioning. Both tapering strategies showed good feasibilityin general practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Tapering off is a feasible and effective way of discontinuing long-term benzodiazepine use in general practice. The addition of group CBT is of limited value.