ADHD in adults: a concept in evolution
Breno Matte1, Luis Augusto Rohde, Eugenio Horácio Grevet
1ADHD Outpatient Program, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2350, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders
|May 17, 2012
Summary
Diagnosing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults presents challenges due to criteria developed for children. This review discusses issues and offers recommendations for adult ADHD diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Adult Mental Health
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is recognized across the lifespan.
- Significant debate exists regarding adult ADHD conceptualization and diagnostic criteria.
- Existing criteria were primarily developed for pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence and presentation of ADHD in adulthood.
- To identify challenges in applying pediatric ADHD criteria to adults.
- To propose recommendations for improving adult ADHD diagnostic criteria.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive non-systematic literature review.
- Analysis of prevalence and presentation data for adult ADHD.
- Discussion of specific challenges in adult diagnosis: clinical utility, symptom thresholds, childhood diagnosis history, information sources, and additional diagnostic dimensions (executive functioning, emotional impulsivity).
Main Results:
- Adult ADHD diagnosis faces challenges related to symptom thresholds and clinical utility.
- The source of diagnostic information and the necessity of a childhood diagnosis are debated.
- Executive functioning impairment and emotional impulsivity are crucial dimensions for adult ADHD assessment.
Conclusions:
- Current diagnostic criteria for ADHD require adaptation for adult populations.
- Recommendations focus on enhancing the clinical utility and relevance of criteria for adults.
- Improved diagnostic approaches are needed to accurately identify and manage adult ADHD.
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