Last week we explored the high prevalence and underdiagnosis of ADHD among incarcerated individuals. As correctional nurses, we frequently interact with patients whose behaviors—impulsivity, restlessness, difficulty with authority—are often misunderstood. When these behaviors stem from untreated ADHD, they can contribute to negative outcomes like infractions, segregation, and disengagement from care. In this post, we’ll turn to treatment options and practical management strategies that nurses…
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At intake, you may encounter a patient who seems impatient, fidgety, or easily distracted. They may interrupt, lose track of questions, or appear agitated without an obvious trigger. These behaviors are often attributed to anxiety, substance use, or defiance, but they could also be symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), an often underrecognized and undertreated condition in incarcerated populations. Understanding ADHD…
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This post is in response to a request by a nurse manager whose staff had recently dealt with a successful suicide onsite. She asked if I could suggest strategies she could share with her staff, who were very much affected by what happened. In correctional healthcare, we work with individuals who often carry heavy burdens—mental illness, trauma, substance use disorder,…
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