[ADHD in adults - history, epidemiology, and neuroscience]

ADHD is defined by symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention, prevalent in 5-7 % of youth and 2-3 % of adults and caused by an interplay of multiple genetic and environmental risk factors. The ADHD-phenotype was first described in the medical literature in 1775. While neuroimaging studies show altered structure and function of the brain, and neuropsychological tests low capacity of executive functions on a group level, neither assessment can be used to diagnose ADHD on an individual level. ADHD poses increased risk for somatic and psychiatric comorbidities as well as low quality of life, social impairment, professional underachievement, and hazardous behaviors such as substance misuse, injuries, and premature death. The consequences of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD pose a great economic burden on society worldwide. Research strongly suggests that several medications are safe and effective by reducing negative outcomes associated with ADHD across the lifespan.