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When Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder reaches adulthood

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2022

A.S. Morais ,
R. Gomes  and
N. Descalço
A.S. Morais*
Affiliation:
Hospital Garcia de Orta, EPE, Serviço De Psiquiatria E Saúde Mental, Almada, Portugal
R. Gomes
Affiliation:
Hospital Garcia de Orta, EPE, Serviço De Psiquiatria E Saúde Mental, Almada, Portugal
N. Descalço
Affiliation:
Hospital Garcia de Orta, EPE, Serviço De Psiquiatria E Saúde Mental, Almada, Portugal
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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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.

Keywords

adult psychiatryadhd
Type
Abstract
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 65 , Special Issue S1: Abstracts of the 30th European Congress of Psychiatry , June 2022 , pp. S876
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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