When Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder reaches adulthood
Introduction Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was classically considered a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental condition. Over the past 40 years, it became evident that it can persist during adulthood. Objectives The purpose of the authors is to describe the characteristics of ADHD i...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press
2022-06-01
|
| Series: | European Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822022738/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1827753593129664512 |
|---|---|
| author | A.S. Morais R. Gomes N. Descalço |
| author_facet | A.S. Morais R. Gomes N. Descalço |
| author_sort | A.S. Morais |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was classically considered a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental condition. Over the past 40 years, it became evident that it can persist during adulthood.
Objectives
The purpose of the authors is to describe the characteristics of ADHD in adults and the specific comorbidities, proposing an approach to these patients.
Methods
A brief non-systematized review is presented, using the literature available on PubMed and Google Scholar.
Results
Only 40-50% of children and adolescents with ADHD will have symptoms that persist into adulthood (estimated adult prevalence of 2.8% across 20 countries; 25% in prisons). A more subtle presentation in adults and the difficulty to access past medical history, lead to diagnosis and treatment rates of lower than 20% (versus 50% in children). Well-characterized core symptoms in children evolve into a predominance of inattention symptoms. They became adults with marked disorganization, difficulties in completing tasks and managing time. Emotional dysregulation is a very prevalent symptom in this population. The comorbidities rate increase over time (reaching 75% of patients).
Conclusions
Adults (or even older subjects) with cognitive and/or behavioural complaints should be submitted to systematic screening for ADHD. Non-treated ADHD symptoms in adulthood are associated with severe impairment, therefore adjustments in the health care system to support the transition from child to adult services are needed.
Disclosure
No significant relationships.
|
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:37:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e400ffe49e8f4586a15b9075dc62b701 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:37:31Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-e400ffe49e8f4586a15b9075dc62b7012023-11-17T05:09:14ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852022-06-0165S876S87610.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.2273When Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder reaches adulthoodA.S. Morais0R. Gomes1N. Descalço2Hospital Garcia de Orta, EPE, Serviço De Psiquiatria E Saúde Mental, Almada, PortugalHospital Garcia de Orta, EPE, Serviço De Psiquiatria E Saúde Mental, Almada, PortugalHospital Garcia de Orta, EPE, Serviço De Psiquiatria E Saúde Mental, Almada, Portugal Introduction Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was classically considered a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental condition. Over the past 40 years, it became evident that it can persist during adulthood. Objectives The purpose of the authors is to describe the characteristics of ADHD in adults and the specific comorbidities, proposing an approach to these patients. Methods A brief non-systematized review is presented, using the literature available on PubMed and Google Scholar. Results Only 40-50% of children and adolescents with ADHD will have symptoms that persist into adulthood (estimated adult prevalence of 2.8% across 20 countries; 25% in prisons). A more subtle presentation in adults and the difficulty to access past medical history, lead to diagnosis and treatment rates of lower than 20% (versus 50% in children). Well-characterized core symptoms in children evolve into a predominance of inattention symptoms. They became adults with marked disorganization, difficulties in completing tasks and managing time. Emotional dysregulation is a very prevalent symptom in this population. The comorbidities rate increase over time (reaching 75% of patients). Conclusions Adults (or even older subjects) with cognitive and/or behavioural complaints should be submitted to systematic screening for ADHD. Non-treated ADHD symptoms in adulthood are associated with severe impairment, therefore adjustments in the health care system to support the transition from child to adult services are needed. Disclosure No significant relationships. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822022738/type/journal_articleadult psychiatryadhd |
| spellingShingle | A.S. Morais R. Gomes N. Descalço When Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder reaches adulthood European Psychiatry adult psychiatry adhd |
| title | When Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder reaches adulthood |
| title_full | When Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder reaches adulthood |
| title_fullStr | When Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder reaches adulthood |
| title_full_unstemmed | When Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder reaches adulthood |
| title_short | When Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder reaches adulthood |
| title_sort | when attention deficit hyperactivity disorder reaches adulthood |
| topic | adult psychiatry adhd |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822022738/type/journal_article |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT asmorais whenattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderreachesadulthood AT rgomes whenattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderreachesadulthood AT ndescalco whenattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderreachesadulthood |