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Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Topic: Medicine

 From HandWiki - Reading time: 23 min
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Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Other namesAdult ADHD, adult with ADHD, ADHD in adults, AADD
SpecialtyPsychiatry, Clinical psychology

Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the persistence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning symptoms must have been present in childhood except for when ADHD occurs after a traumatic brain injury.[1][2][3] Specifically, for ADHD, multiple symptoms must have been present before the age of 12, according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.[2][3][4][5] This cutoff age of 12 is a change from the previous requirement of symptom onset before the age of 7 in the DSM-IV to add flexibility in the diagnosis of adults.[3][6] ADHD was previously thought to be a childhood disorder that improved with age, but recent research has disproved this. Approximately two-thirds of childhood cases of ADHD continue into adulthood, with varying degrees of symptom severity that change over time, and continue to significantly affect individuals' daily functioning in multiple domains.[7][8]

This new insight on ADHD is further reflected in the DSM-5, which lists ADHD as a “lifespan neurodevelopmental condition,” and has distinct requirements for children and adults. Per DSM-5 criteria, children must display “six or more symptoms in either the inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive domain, or both” for the diagnosis of ADHD. Older adolescents and adults (age 17 and older) need to demonstrate at least five symptoms before the age of 12 (changed from 7 years in DSM-IV) in either domain to meet diagnostic criteria.[3][6] The International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) also updated its diagnostic criteria to better align with the new DSM-5 criteria, but in a change from the DSM-5 and the ICD-10, while it lists the key characteristics of ADHD, the ICD-11 does not specify an age of onset, the required number of symptoms that should be exhibited, or duration of symptoms.[6]

A final update to the DSM-5 from the DSM-IV is a revision in the way it classifies ADHD by symptoms, exchanging "subtypes" for "presentations" to better represent the fluidity of ADHD features displayed by individuals as they age.[3][6]

Three presentations

  • Predominantly Inattentive Presentation (ADHD-I)
  • Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation (ADHD-HI)
  • Combined Presentation (ADHD-C)

Symptom manifestation and severity of ADHD are highly diverse and vary among individuals.[9] Hyperactive symptoms, specifically, often decrease starting in adolescence.[10] Inattention is a more common presentation in adult ADHD, manifesting as difficulty starting and completing tasks, forgetfulness, difficulty focusing, disorganization, and persistent tardiness.[7][10]

ADHD can only be diagnosed by a licensed clinician.[11] Diagnosis is made clinically via a comprehensive, structured interview to obtain a full history of the individual's current and childhood symptoms and their negative impact on daily functioning. A complete medical history should also be obtained, as the rates of coexistent conditions (comorbidities) with ADHD are high.[6][12][13] Supplemental history obtained from people close to the individual in different settings (e.g., parents, siblings, partners, teachers, coworkers, and employers) can be helpful in confirming a diagnosis.[11]

ADHD is a highly genetically influenced condition, meaning it commonly runs in families.[3][6][7][14] Individuals with a first-degree relative with ADHD demonstrate a risk of ADHD 4-5 times higher than the general population rate and prevalence rates around 20%.[12] The rate of inheriting the disorder is estimated to be about 76% among children and adolescents and between 70 and 80% among adults.[7][12] The exact causes of ADHD are still not fully understood, but non-genetic biological risk factors (e.g., low birth weight, events during pregnancy) and environmental factors are also thought to play a role in the development of ADHD.[11][12][14]

Effective management of ADHD generally requires a combination of psychoeducation (teaching affected individuals about ADHD and its presentation and effects), behavioral interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)), pharmacotherapy (treatment utilizing medication), and coaching for ADHD.[10][12] Psychostimulants, or simply stimulants, are considered the first-line medication for the treatment of ADHD. Particularly for adults, amphetamines (e.g., dexamphetamine) are considered the most effective medication.[8][10][12]

Classification

ADHD presentations

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) categorizes ADHD into three presentations:[3]

  1. Predominantly Inattentive Presentation (ADHD-I)
    • Meets criteria for inattentive but not hyperactive-impulsive presentation
  2. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation (ADHD-HI)
    • Meets criteria for hyperactive-impulsive but not inattentive presentation
  3. Combined Presentation (ADHD-C)
    • Meets criteria for both, inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive presentations

ADHD-I is the most common presentation among adults, with 45% of adults with ADHD meeting criteria for the predominantly inattentive presentation.[15] 34% of adults with ADHD meet criteria for the combined presentation (ADHD-C), and 21% of adults with ADHD meet criteria for the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation (ADHD-HI).[15]

Diagnostic criteria

The DSM-5 lists 18 possible symptoms that a person may exhibit that would be consistent with a diagnosis of ADHD. There are nine inattentive symptoms and nine hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.[3][10] Older adolescents and adults (age 17 and older) only need to demonstrate five symptoms in either the inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive presentation to meet criteria for diagnosis.[3][12][13] This differs from the required six symptoms in either presentation for children to meet diagnostic criteria.[12]

In accordance with the updates to the DSM-5, published in 2013, the other criteria necessary for a diagnosis of ADHD in adults are as follows:[3][13]

  • Symptoms have been present for at least 6 consecutive months
  • Symptoms do not match the individual's level of development
  • Several symptoms onset before age 12 years
  • Several symptoms manifest in two or more domains (e.g., home, school, work)
  • Symptoms disrupt or diminish social, academic, and occupational performance
  • Symptoms cannot be better explained by another psychiatric disorder

Signs and symptoms

ADHD is a chronic condition, beginning in early childhood that can persist throughout a person's lifetime. It is estimated that 33–66% of children with ADHD will continue to have significant ADHD-related symptoms persisting into adulthood, resulting in a significant impact on education, employment, and interpersonal relationships.[16][17]

Individuals with ADHD exhibit deficiencies in self-regulation and self-motivation, which in turn foster problematic characteristics such as distractibility, procrastination, and disorganization. They are often perceived by others as chaotic, with a tendency to need high stimulation to be less distracted and function effectively. The learning potential and overall intelligence of an adult with ADHD, however, are no different from the potential and intelligence of adults who do not have the disorder.[18]

Whereas teachers and caregivers responsible for children are often attuned to the symptoms of ADHD, employers and others who interact with adults are less likely to regard such behaviors as a symptom. In part, this is because symptoms do change with maturity; adults who have ADHD are less likely to exhibit obvious hyperactive behaviors. Instead, they may report constant mental activity, and inner restlessness as their hyperactivity internalizes.[19]

Symptoms of ADHD (see table below) can vary widely between individuals, and throughout the lifetime of an individual. As the neurobiology of ADHD is becoming increasingly understood, it is becoming evident that difficulties exhibited by individuals with ADHD are due to problems with the parts of the brain responsible for executive functions (see below: Pathophysiology). These result in problems with sustaining attention, planning, organization, prioritization, time management, impulse control, and decision making.[7]

The difficulties generated by these deficiencies can range from moderate to extreme, resulting in the inability to effectively structure their lives, plan daily tasks, or think of and act accordingly even when aware of potential consequences. These can lead to poor performance in school and work and can be followed by underachievement in these areas. In young adults, poor driving records with traffic violations may surface.[20]

As problems accumulate, a negative self-view becomes established and a vicious circle of failure is set up. Up to 80% of adults may have some form of psychiatric comorbidity,[21] such as depression or anxiety.[16] Many with ADHD also have associated learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, which contributes to their difficulties.[22]

Studies on adults with ADHD have shown that, more often than not, they experience self-stigma and depression in childhood, commonly resulting from feeling neglected and different from their peers.[23] These problems may play a role in the high levels of depression, substance abuse, and relationship problems that affect adults with ADHD later in life.[24]

Emotion dysregulation, or the inability to properly manage one's emotions, as demonstrated by low frustration tolerance, irritability, negative emotional outbursts, and emotional lability, has been found to be a key symptom of ADHD in all age groups. Unlike other symptoms of ADHD that tend to improve or decline with age, emotional dysregulation has been shown to be more persistent into adulthood.[25] Despite the increasing recognition among clinicians of emotion dysregulation as a prominent symptom in ADHD, especially among adults, it is not recognized in the DSM-5 as a core symptom of ADHD for diagnostic criteria.[25] However, the DSM-5 does include the symptoms of emotional dysregulation as "associated features" that can support the diagnosis of ADHD.[3]

Inattentive-type (ADHD-I) Hyperactive/impulsive-type (ADHD-HI)
In children:
  • Forgetful during daily activities
  • Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
  • Losing important items (e.g. pencils, homework, toys, etc.)
  • Always asking for attention, but
  • Not listening and not responding to names being called out
  • Unable to focus on tasks at hand, cannot sustain attention in activities
  • Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort
  • Makes careless mistakes by failing to pay attention to details
  • Difficulty organizing tasks and activities
  • Fails to follow through on complex instructions and tasks (e.g. homework, chores, etc.)

In children:

  • Squirms and fidgets (with hands and/or feet)
  • Cannot sit still
  • Cannot play quietly or engage in leisurely activities
  • Talks excessively
  • Runs and climbs excessively
  • Always on the go, as if "driven by a motor"
  • Cannot wait for their turn
  • Blurts out answers
  • Intrudes on others and interrupts conversations
In adults:[21]
  • Avoiding tasks or jobs that require concentration
  • Procrastination
  • Difficulty initiating tasks
  • Difficulty organizing details required for a task
  • Difficulty recalling details required for a task
  • Difficulty multitasking
  • Poor time management, losing track of time
  • Indecision and doubt
  • Hesitation of execution
  • Difficulty persevering or completing and following through on tasks
  • Delayed stop and transition of concentration from one task to another

In adults:[26][27]

  • Fidgets with or taps hands or squirms in chair
  • Has difficulty remaining seated
  • Extreme restlessness
  • Talks excessively
  • Interrupts or intrudes on others
  • Has difficulty waiting his or her turn
  • Difficulty engaging in activities quietly
  • Blurts out answers before questions have been completed

Diagnosis

Screening for ADHD in adults

ADHD can only be diagnosed by a licensed clinician, and the first step to do so is via screening with validated tools to screen for ADHD in adults.[10][11][12] The Adult ADHD Self Report Rating Scale (ASRS) is a validated screening tool recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) with a sensitivity and specificity of 91.4% and 96.0%, respectively.[12] Screening can guide clinical decision-making toward the proper diagnostic and treatment methods, can prevent further negative outcomes, and can reduce medical costs that may result from underdiagnosis.[10][12] Individuals who should be screened for ADHD include any adult with a chronic history of behaviors consistent with inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, restlessness, and emotional instability that started in childhood or early adolescence.[12] Due to its high rates of heritability, adults with a first-degree relative with ADHD should also be screened.[7][12][14] Other high-risk groups that should be screened include adults with a history of chronic mental health disorders (including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder), due to the high rates of comorbidity; adults within the criminal justice system or with a history of behavioral issues; and adults with multiple physical diseases.[2][12]

Diagnosing ADHD in adults

If an individual screens positively for ADHD, diagnosis is made clinically through a thorough, systematic interview with the aim of obtaining a full history of the individual's current symptoms and how those symptoms have inhibited their performance in daily activities. A history of childhood symptoms must also be obtained.[6][11][12] Whenever possible, supplemental information should be obtained from sources close to the individual (e.g., parents, siblings, significant other, colleagues) about the individual's symptom presentation and impairments in different settings.[3][11] These additional informants can aid the clinician in diagnosing ADHD in an adult because adults might not accurately recall childhood symptoms. Additionally, they tend to inaccurately report current symptom severity and impairment, due either to poor self-awareness or the development of coping mechanisms throughout their lifetime to manage symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD.[2][12][13] In addition to determining current symptoms, the clinical interview to diagnose ADHD should also evaluate for coexisting medical and mental health disorders, as there can be significant overlap in symptoms of ADHD and other conditions.[10][11][12][13][28]

ADHD cannot be diagnosed via symptom rating scales, neuropsychological tests, or brain imaging alone. These tools can be used, however, to screen for or support a diagnosis of ADHD as well as to quantify the severity and functional impairment of symptoms.[11][13][28]

Screening tools

Diagnosis tools

  • Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults, third edition (DIVA-5)[13][29]
    • DIVA-5-ID (adapted version for people with intellectual disability)[12][29]
  • ACE+ (semi-structured diagnostic interview to assess for ADHD in adults, >16 years)[12]
  • Conners Adult ADHD Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV (CAADID)[12][13]
  • Adult ADHD Clinical Diagnostic Scale (ACDS v1.2)[13]
  • Continuous Performance Tests (CPTs) (cognitive tests of attention and executive function)[30]

Barriers to diagnosis of ADHD in adults

Adults face many potential difficulties in obtaining a diagnosis of ADHD. The diagnosis is often missed in the clinical setting in adults as a result of insufficient knowledge among clinicians about ADHD in adults.[10][12] This lack of knowledge may cause some clinicians to not diagnose ADHD in adults because they are worried about misdiagnosing it, do not feel comfortable prescribing stimulants, or are worried about worsening patients' coexisting conditions.[10][12] Additionally, clinicians commonly overlook symptoms of ADHD and/or fail to consider it as a diagnosis in adults due to the overlap in symptoms with other psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, substance use disorders, and personality disorders.[8][10][31] The symptoms of these psychiatric disorders may mask the symptoms of ADHD and lead clinicians to consider these disorders over ADHD.[2] ADHD also has high rates of comorbidity with these disorders in adulthood, further leading clinicians to pursue evaluation for these disorders over ADHD.[10] Furthermore, the stigma surrounding ADHD causes many adults to forego seeking treatment altogether.[12]

Another barrier to diagnosis is faced by highly intelligent or high-functioning adults.[11][12] These individuals are more likely to develop compensatory skills earlier in life to overcome the symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD and adapt to their environments, which can suppress some of the more obvious symptoms or behaviors of ADHD. As a result, when they seek treatment as adults, they may not demonstrate the level of dysfunction that is more readily recognized in individuals with ADHD.[12]

Diagnosis of ADHD can also be delayed in adults due to a lack of universal consensus on diagnostic criteria for diagnosing ADHD in adults as well as poor adherence by primary care physicians and mental health providers to current recommendations.[2][4]

ADHD in adult males

The most common ADHD presentation in adulthood is predominantly inattentive (ADHD-I).[15][7] Males demonstrate higher levels of symptom resolution in adulthood.[7] Adult males with ADHD have higher rates of incarceration than adult males without ADHD. Compared to adult females with ADHD, the rate of incarceration for adult males is also higher, 31.2% for males versus 22.1% for females.[7]

Males with ADHD, children and adults, exhibit higher rates of externalizing disorders or behaviors that manifest as aggressive, disruptive, rule-breaking behaviors making them more likely to be referred for ADHD treatment. Adult males with ADHD are also more likely to display antisocial behaviors associated with antisocial personality disorder.[7] Adults with ADHD are more prone to reckless driving and more frequent and severe crashes, with some studies showing an increased frequency in adult males with ADHD compared to females.[7]

Other results of adult ADHD are higher reported incidences of traffic citations, missed workdays, and accidents.[32] According to Fritz in a 2016 study, adult men with ADHD may be able to focus better on mental tasks after completing some type of physical exertion.[32] This may help individuals who suffer from adult ADHD. Mood improvements were shown to be statistically significant for a short while but quickly the mood would return to pre-exertion levels.[32]

ADHD in adult females

Symptomatology

There is increasing evidence that females with ADHD have symptom manifestations different from the typical symptoms or behaviors observed in males. While males are more likely to display the commonly recognized disruptive behaviors of ADHD, especially in childhood, females typically display more subtle behaviors of hyperactivity-impulsivity and/or are more likely to fit the inattentive presentation, leading to delayed diagnosis in females.[9][14][7] Of note, despite the variation in symptom severity and presentation, ADHD-HI is the most common presentation in preschoolers for both sexes. Clinicians should be aware that just like males, females can also exhibit symptoms of inattention as well as hyperactivity-impulsivity.[7]

Impulsivity in females with ADHD often manifests as excessive talking, blurting out responses, interrupting others, and fidgeting.[14][7] In females with ADHD, inattention often manifests as susceptibility to distraction, disorganization, feeling overwhelmed, forgetfulness, absence of effort or motivation, and difficulty receiving constructive criticism in professional settings.[9][7] Females with ADHD also exhibit greater internalizing disorders (i.e., mood disorders) than males with ADHD.[14] Notable symptoms of ADHD specific to adult females include lower self-esteem, greater difficulty in maintaining relationships, increased risk of anxiety and/or mood disorders.[9][14] Females, beginning in childhood, are also more likely to develop compensatory strategies that may ultimately mask some of the primary symptoms of ADHD.[14]

Prevalence

The most common ADHD presentation in adulthood is predominantly inattentive (ADHD-I).[15][7] ADHD-I is also the most common presentation for females in childhood, and the symptoms of inattention have been shown to persist into adulthood more than those of the hyperactive-impulsive presentation more commonly observed in boys. Consequently, females demonstrate a higher frequency of a "life-persistent" form of ADHD, which helps explain the narrowing male-to-female diagnostic ratio from childhood to adulthood.[14] Another possible explanation for the male-to-female diagnostic ratio seen in adulthood is that adult diagnosis relies more heavily on self-report than reports from parents or teachers. Adult females are more likely than adult males to report issues and seek treatment, leading to increasing diagnosis rates in adult females and closing the prevalence sex gap.[14][7]

Pathophysiology

Over the last 30 years, research into ADHD has greatly increased.[33] There is no single, unified theory that explains the cause of ADHD. Genetic factors are presumed important, and it has been suggested that environmental factors may affect how symptoms manifest.[19][34]

It is becoming increasingly accepted that individuals with ADHD have difficulty with "executive functioning.". In higher organisms, such as humans, these functions are thought to reside in the frontal lobes. They enable recall of tasks that need accomplishing, organization to accomplish these tasks, assessment of consequences of actions, prioritization of thoughts and actions, keeping track of time, awareness of interactions with surroundings, the ability to focus despite competing stimuli, and adaptation to changing situations.[35]

Several lines of research based on structural and/or functional imaging techniques, stimulant drugs, and psychological interventions have identified alterations in the dopaminergic and adrenergic pathways of individuals with ADHD. In particular, areas of the prefrontal cortex appear to be the most affected. Dopamine and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters which play an important role in brain function. The uptake transporters for dopamine[36] and norepinephrine[37] are overly active and clear these neurotransmitters from the synapse a lot faster than in other individuals. This is thought to increase processing latency and salience, and diminish working memory.[38][39]

Treatment

As a first step, adults with ADHD should receive psychoeducation about ADHD so they understand the diagnosis.[40] This is vital to ensure that adults with ADHD can make informed decisions about their treatment and have other benefits, such as improved relationships with others.[40] Treatment often begins with medication selected to address the symptoms of ADHD, along with any comorbid conditions that may be present. Medication alone, while sometimes effective in correcting the physiological symptoms of ADHD, will not address the paucity of skills that many adults will have acquired because of their ADHD (e.g., one might regain the ability to focus with medication, but skills such as organizing, prioritizing, and effectively communicating have taken others time to cultivate).[41] Suggested treatment for adult ADHD is to include a combined approach of psychosocial interventions (behavioural or cognitive), medication, vocational interventions, and regular follow-up support.[42][43]

Medications

Medications to help treat ADHD include psychostimulants and non-stimulants. Guidelines and availability of the different options available for medication may vary depending on what country the person lives in.[40]

Stimulants

Stimulants have moderate-to-high effects, which have higher average effects than non-stimulant medications.[40] For adults, amphetamines in particular are the most efficacious medications, and they (along with methylphenidate) have the fewest adverse effects.[40] While there is some debate about whether to treat ADHD adults with substance use disorder (SUD) with stimulants, the 2019 Updated European Consensus Statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD notes that "in SUD patients, treatment of ADHD [with stimulants] can be useful to reduce ADHD symptoms without worsening the SUD and should not be avoided".[40]

Amphetamine and its derivatives, prototype stimulants, are available in immediate and long-acting formulations. Amphetamines act by multiple mechanisms, including reuptake inhibition, displacement of transmitters from vesicles, reversal of uptake transporters, and reversible MAO inhibition. Thus amphetamines actively increase the release of these neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.[44] In the short term, methylphenidate, a benzylpiperidine and phenethylamine derivative stimulant medication, is well tolerated.[45][46] As of a 2008 review, long-term studies had not been conducted in adults, although no serious side effects had been reported to regulatory authorities.[46]

In the UK, clinical guidelines recommend that psychostimulants be used as a first-line treatment.[47] For people who cannot be treated with stimulants due to a substance use disorder or other contraindications, atomoxetine is the suggested first-line treatment in the UK. In Canada, clinical guidelines suggest that first-line treatment be methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine.[45] Non-stimulant medications are generally second-line treatments in Canada.[27]

Non-stimulant medications

The non-stimulant atomoxetine (Strattera) may be an effective treatment for adult ADHD. Although atomoxetine has a half-life similar to stimulants, it exhibits a delayed onset of therapeutic effects similar to antidepressants. Unlike stimulants, which are generally controlled substances, atomoxetine lacks addictive potential. It is particularly effective for those with the predominantly inattentive concentration type of attention deficit due to being primarily a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.[48] It is often prescribed in adults who cannot tolerate the side effects of amphetamines or methylphenidate. It is also approved for ADHD by the US Food and Drug Administration. A rare but potentially severe side effect includes liver damage and increased suicidal ideation.[49] Reboxetine, also a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, may be used off-label as an alternative to atomoxetine.[40]

Viloxazine, another selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, was FDA-approved to treat ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults.[50]

Bupropion and desipramine are two antidepressants that have demonstrated some evidence of effectiveness in the management of ADHD, particularly when there is comorbid major depression,[51] although antidepressants have lower treatment effect sizes.[52]

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, including behavioral therapy, can help an adult with ADHD monitor their own behaviour and provide skills for improving organization and efficiency in daily tasks.[26][53] Research has shown that, alongside medication, psychological interventions in adults can be effective in reducing symptomatic deficiencies.[54] Cognitive behavioral therapy in particular can provide benefits, especially alongside medication, in the treatment of adult ADHD.[55][40][34]

Epidemiology

Main page: Medicine:Epidemiology of attention deficit hyperactive disorder

While ADHD has traditionally been viewed as a childhood disorder that fades with age, growing research has shown that ADHD often persists from childhood into adulthood.[4] Approximately 40–60% of individuals diagnosed with ADHD in childhood continue to exhibit some symptoms of it in adulthood, while approximately 15% continue to meet full diagnostic criteria.[6][10][13] An umbrella review of worldwide childhood prevalence rates of ADHD, published in 2023, reported a combined prevalence of 8.0% in children globally.[56] This same review reported a global combined prevalence of ADHD of 10% in boys and 5% in girls.[56] While the male-to-female ratio of ADHD diagnoses in childhood is about 2.3:1 in children, it approaches 1.5:1 or lower in adulthood.[14][9] This is consistent with research revealing underdiagnosis of ADHD in females during childhood.[9]

Due to the age-dependent decrease in symptoms of ADHD, the prevalence among adults is lower than that in children.[6] A meta-analysis of the global prevalence of ADHD in adults, published in 2021, estimated a collective prevalence of persistent adult ADHD of 2.58% globally in 2020.[4] Persistent adult ADHD is defined as meeting diagnostic criteria for ADHD in adulthood with the additional requirement of a confirmed childhood diagnosis.[4] This rate was compared to symptomatic adult ADHD, defined as meeting symptomatic diagnostic criteria for ADHD in adulthood without the requirement of a childhood diagnosis, which had an estimated combined prevalence of 6.76% globally in 2020.[4] When assessing the prevalence of persistent adult ADHD by World Bank regions (high-income countries (HICs) vs. low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)), the prevalence of persistent adult ADHD is significantly lower in HICs than in LMICs, with rates of 3.25% and 8.00%, respectively.[4] Estimating the prevalence of persistent adult ADHD by age demonstrated decreasing prevalence with increasing age, which is consistent with other studies that have shown that ADHD symptoms tend to diminish with age.[4]

Persistent adult ADHD[4]
Age Group

(in years)

Prevalence (%)
18-24 5.05
25-29 4.00
30-34 3.29
35-39 2.70
40-44 2.22
45-49 1.82
50-54 1.49
55-59 1.22
60+ 0.77

Another meta-analysis, published in 2020, specifically examined the prevalence of ADHD in older adults, defined as 45 years and older.[57] It estimated prevalence in older adults based on three different assessment methods: research diagnosis (based on DSM-validated scales), clinical diagnosis (based on clinical interview meeting DSM or ICD criteria), and treatment.[57] The combined prevalence of ADHD in older adults by research diagnosis was estimated to be 2.18%, accordant with the age-dependent decline of ADHD.[57] The combined prevalence of ADHD in older adults by clinical diagnosis was estimated to be 0.23%. The discrepancy in prevalence between research diagnosis and clinical diagnosis might be explained by either a potential overestimate by ADHD-rating scales or underdiagnosis by clinicians.[57] Lastly, the prevalence of treatment for ADHD in older adults was estimated to be 0.09%, which was less than half of the prevalence of clinically diagnosed ADHD.[57]

History

Main page: Medicine:History of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Early work on disorders of attention was conducted by Alexander Crichton in 1798, who wrote about "mental restlessness.".[58] The underlying condition came to be recognized in the early 1900s by Sir George Still.[59][60] The efficacy of medications on symptoms was discovered during the 1930s, and research continued throughout the twentieth century. ADHD in adults began to be studied in the 1990s and research has increased as worldwide interest in the condition has grown.[61]

In the 1970s, researchers began to realize that the condition now known as ADHD did not always disappear in adolescence, as was once thought.[33] The expansion of the definition for ADHD beyond only being a condition experienced by children was mainly accomplished by refocusing the diagnosis on inattention instead of hyperactivity.[62] At about the same time, some of the symptoms were also noted in many parents of the children under treatment.[63]

Society and culture

ADHD in adults, as with children, is recognized as an impairment that may constitute a disability under U.S. federal disability nondiscrimination laws, including such laws as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA, 2008 revision), if the disorder substantially limits one or more of an individual's major life activities. For adults whose ADHD does constitute a disability, workplaces have a duty to provide reasonable accommodations, and educational institutions have a duty to provide appropriate academic adjustments or modifications, to help the individual work more efficiently and productively.[64][65]

In a 2004 study, it was estimated that the yearly income discrepancy for adults with ADHD was $10,791 less per year than their high school graduate counterparts and $4,334 lower for college graduate counterparts. The study estimates a total loss in productivity in the United States of over US$77 billion.[66]

Controversy

Main page: Social:Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder controversies

ADHD controversies include concerns about its existence as a disorder, its causes, the methods by which ADHD is diagnosed and treated including the use of stimulant medications in children, possible overdiagnosis, misdiagnosis as ADHD leading to undertreatment of the real underlying disease, alleged hegemonic practices of the American Psychiatric Association and negative stereotypes of children diagnosed with ADHD. These controversies have surrounded the subject since at least the 1970s.[59][67]

References

  1. ↑ Faraone, Stephen V.; Banaschewski, Tobias; Coghill, David; Zheng, Yi; Biederman, Joseph; Bellgrove, Mark A.; Newcorn, Jeffrey H.; Gignac, Martin et al. (2021-09-01). "The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder". Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 128: 789–818. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.022. ISSN 0149-7634. PMID 33549739. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Adult-Onset ADHD: A Critical Analysis and Alternative Explanations". Child Psychiatry and Human Development 53 (4): 635–653. August 2022. doi:10.1007/s10578-021-01159-w. PMID 33738692. 
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5 (5th ed.). Washington: American psychiatric association. 2013. ISBN 978-0-89042-554-1. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 "The prevalence of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A global systematic review and meta-analysis". Journal of Global Health 11: 04009. February 2021. doi:10.7189/jogh.11.04009. PMID 33692893. 
  5. ↑ "Evidence of emotion dysregulation as a core symptom of adult ADHD: A systematic review". PLOS ONE 18 (1): e0280131. 2023-01-06. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0280131. PMID 36608036. Bibcode: 2023PLoSO..1880131S. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 "Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder". Lancet 395 (10222): 450–462. February 2020. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)33004-1. PMID 31982036. 
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 "Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women". BMC Psychiatry 20 (1): 404. August 2020. doi:10.1186/s12888-020-02707-9. PMID 32787804. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders in adult men and women with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A substantive and methodological overview". Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 151: 105209. August 2023. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105209. PMID 37149075. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 "Miss. Diagnosis: A Systematic Review of ADHD in Adult Women". Journal of Attention Disorders 27 (7): 645–657. May 2023. doi:10.1177/10870547231161533. PMID 36995125. 
  10. ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 10.12 "Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the ambulatory care setting" (in en-US). JAAPA 33 (8): 12–16. August 2020. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000684108.89007.52. PMID 32740107. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 "The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder". Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 128: 789–818. September 2021. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.022. PMID 33549739. 
  12. ↑ 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 12.11 12.12 12.13 12.14 12.15 12.16 12.17 12.18 12.19 12.20 12.21 12.22 12.23 12.24 12.25 12.26 "Updated European Consensus Statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD". European Psychiatry 56 (1): 14–34. February 2019. doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2018.11.001. PMID 30453134. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 13.8 13.9 "Screening for Adult ADHD". Current Psychiatry Reports 22 (12): 72. October 2020. doi:10.1007/s11920-020-01194-9. PMID 33095375. 
  14. ↑ 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 "Annual Research Review: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in girls and women: underrepresentation, longitudinal processes, and key directions". Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines 63 (4): 484–496. April 2022. doi:10.1111/jcpp.13480. PMID 34231220. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 "Neuropsychological Performance Patterns of Adult ADHD Subtypes". Journal of Attention Disorders 23 (10): 1136–1147. August 2019. doi:10.1177/1087054718773927. PMID 29771179. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Adult ADHD: Diagnosis, Differential Diagnosis, and Medication Management". Psychiatry 3 (8): 25–30. August 2006. PMID 20963192. 
  17. ↑ "[Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults]" (in es). Revista de Neurología 48 (Suppl 2): S95–S99. February 2009. PMID 19280582. 
  18. ↑ "ADHD and transitions to adult mental health services". Oxford Medicine Online. June 2018. doi:10.1093/med/9780198739258.003.0043. ISBN 978-0-19-180225-6. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "European consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD: The European Network Adult ADHD". BMC Psychiatry 10: 67. September 2010. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-10-67. PMID 20815868.  open access
  20. ↑ Behavioral Neurobiology of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Its Treatment. Springer. 29 February 2012. pp. 10-. ISBN 978-3-642-24611-1. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults". Primary Care 34 (2): 317–41; abstract viii. June 2007. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2007.04.012. PMID 17666230. 
  22. ↑ "ADHD and developmental dyslexia: two pathways leading to impaired learning". Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1145: 316–327. December 2008. doi:10.1196/annals.1416.022. PMID 19076406. 
  23. ↑ "Retrospective accounts of self-stigma experienced by young people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or depression". Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal 38 (2): 158–163. June 2015. doi:10.1037/prj0000121. PMID 25799297. 
  24. ↑ "Conditions Similar to ADHD". n.d.. http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-conditions-similar. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Emotion dysregulation in adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: a meta-analysis". BMC Psychiatry 20 (1): 120. March 2020. doi:10.1186/s12888-020-2442-7. PMID 32164655. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "NIMH » Could I Have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?". https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/could-i-have-adhd/index.shtml#pub6. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults" (in en-US). https://chadd.org/for-adults/diagnosis-of-adhd-in-adults/. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder". Pediatrics in Review 43 (3): 135–147. March 2022. doi:10.1542/pir.2020-000612. PMID 35229109. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "DIVA Foundation - DIVA-5 - Use of DIVA-5". https://www.divacenter.eu/DIVA.aspx?id=528. 
  30. ↑ "Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Clinical Utility of Continuous Performance Tests for the Identification of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder". Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. March 2023. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2023.03.011. PMID 37004919. 
  31. ↑ "ADHD in Children and Adults: Diagnosis and Prognosis". Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences. New Discoveries in the Behavioral Neuroscience of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Cham: Springer International Publishing) 57: 1–18. 2022. doi:10.1007/7854_2022_329. ISBN 978-3-031-11801-2. PMID 35397064. 
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 "Acute Exercise Improves Mood and Motivation in Young Men with ADHD Symptoms" (in en-US). Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 48 (6): 1153–1160. June 2016. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000000864. PMID 26741120. 
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "A systematic review of global publication trends regarding long-term outcomes of ADHD". Frontiers in Psychiatry 2: 84. 18 January 2012. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2011.00084. PMID 22279437.  open access
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "Advances in understanding and treating ADHD". BMC Medicine 9: 72. June 2011. doi:10.1186/1741-7015-9-72. PMID 21658285.  open access
  35. ↑ "Divided Attention - an overview". https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/divided-attention. 
  36. ↑ "The dopamine transporter: relevance to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)". Behavioural Brain Research 130 (1–2): 57–63. March 2002. doi:10.1016/S0166-4328(01)00439-9. PMID 11864718. 
  37. ↑ "The dopamine transporter: role in neurotoxicity and human disease". Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 204 (3): 355–360. May 2005. doi:10.1016/j.taap.2004.08.013. PMID 15845424. 
  38. ↑ "Adult ADHD and working memory: neural evidence of impaired encoding". Clinical Neurophysiology 125 (8): 1596–1603. August 2014. doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2013.12.094. PMID 24411642. 
  39. ↑ "EEG anomalies in adult ADHD subjects performing a working memory task". Neuroscience 241: 135–146. June 2013. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.03.011. PMID 23518223. 
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 40.3 40.4 40.5 40.6 40.7 "Updated European Consensus Statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD". European Psychiatry 56: 14–34. February 2019. doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2018.11.001. PMID 30453134. 
  41. ↑ "Adult ADHD: evaluation and treatment in family medicine". American Family Physician 62 (9): 2077–86, 2091–2. November 2000. PMID 11087189. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/1101/p2077.html. 
  42. ↑ "Efficacy of Adderall for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: a meta-analysis". Journal of Attention Disorders 6 (2): 69–75. September 2002. doi:10.1177/108705470200600203. PMID 12142863. 
  43. ↑ "Pharmacologic treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis". PLOS ONE 15 (10): e0240584. 2020-10-21. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0240584. PMID 33085721. Bibcode: 2020PLoSO..1540584E. 
  44. ↑ "Pharmacological treatment of adult ADHD in Europe". The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry 12 (Suppl 1): 89–94. September 2011. doi:10.3109/15622975.2011.603229. PMID 21906003. 
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 "Canadian ADHD Practice Guidelines" (in en-CA). https://www.caddra.ca/canadian-adhd-practice-guidelines/. 
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 "Safety of therapeutic methylphenidate in adults: a systematic review of the evidence". Journal of Psychopharmacology 23 (2): 194–205. March 2009. doi:10.1177/0269881108089809. PMID 18515459. 
  47. ↑ "Evidence-based guidelines for the pharmacological management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: update on recommendations from the British Association for Psychopharmacology". Journal of Psychopharmacology 28 (3): 179–203. March 2014. doi:10.1177/0269881113519509. PMID 24526134. 
  48. ↑ "Spotlight on atomoxetine in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder". CNS Drugs 18 (6): 397–401. 2004. doi:10.2165/00023210-200418060-00011. PMID 15089111. 
  49. ↑ "Efficacy and tolerability of pharmacotherapies for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults". CNS Drugs 25 (9): 737–763. September 2011. doi:10.2165/11593070-000000000-00000. PMID 21870887. 
  50. ↑ "Qelbree- viloxazine hydrochloride capsule, extended-release". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=aedf408d-0f84-418d-9416-7c39ddb0d29a. 
  51. ↑ "An update on the pharmacotherapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults". Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics 11 (10): 1443–1465. October 2011. doi:10.1586/ern.11.137. PMID 21955201. 
  52. ↑ "Antidepressants in the treatment of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review". Advances in Therapy 26 (2): 170–184. February 2009. doi:10.1007/s12325-009-0008-7. PMID 19238340. 
  53. ↑ "NIMH » Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder". https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml#part_145449. 
  54. ↑ "Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults". The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry 11 (5): 684–698. August 2010. doi:10.3109/15622975.2010.483249. PMID 20521876. 
  55. ↑ "Current status of cognitive behavioral therapy for adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder". The Psychiatric Clinics of North America 33 (3): 497–509. September 2010. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2010.04.001. PMID 20599129. 
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 "The global prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: An umbrella review of meta-analyses". Journal of Affective Disorders 339: 860–866. October 2023. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.071. PMID 37495084. 
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 57.3 57.4 "Prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 118: 282–289. November 2020. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.07.042. PMID 32798966. 
  58. ↑ "'Mind in general' by Sir Alexander Crichton". History of Psychiatry 17 (68 Pt 4): 469–486. December 2006. doi:10.1177/0957154x06071679. PMID 17333675. https://hal.science/hal-00570870. 
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 "The history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder". Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders 2 (4): 241–255. December 2010. doi:10.1007/s12402-010-0045-8. PMID 21258430.  open access
  60. ↑ Nursing Children and Young People with ADHD. Taylor & Francis. 2009. p. 6. ISBN 9781134052196. 
  61. ↑ "Hyperactive Around the World? The History of ADHD in Global Perspective". Social History of Medicine 30 (4): 767–787. November 2017. doi:10.1093/shm/hkw127. PMID 29670320. 
  62. ↑ The Medicalization of Society. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press. 2007. pp. 66. ISBN 978-0801885853. https://archive.org/details/medicalizationof0000conr/page/66. 
  63. ↑ ADHD in adults : what the science says. Guilford Press. 2008. 
  64. ↑ ADA Division, Office of Legal Counsel (22 October 2002). "Enforcement Guidance: Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship Under the Americans with Disabilities Act". http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/accommodation.html. 
  65. ↑ Office of Civil Rights (25 June 2012). "Questions and Answers on Disability Discrimination under Section 504 and Title II". http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/qa-disability.html. 
  66. ↑ "Breaking News: The Social and Economic Impact of ADHD". 7 September 2004. http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/12869.html. 
  67. ↑ "Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a review and update". Journal of Pediatric Nursing 23 (5): 345–357. October 2008. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2008.01.003. PMID 18804015. 

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