Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (adhd) in the adult patients: view of the clinician

Abstract

Introduction: ADHD is a clinical entity that persists during adolescence and even into adulthood in many cases. Assuming that most adults with ADHD will not have been diagnosed in childhood, the GEDA-A group (Adult ADHD study group) considered that it was important to assess how much knowledge the clinicians had about ADHD in order to provide for the identification of the disorder in the adult.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey to be fill out by specialists involved in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD was designed. This survey included questions on awareness of the disease in the different stages of life (childhood, adolescence and adulthood).

Results: 484 clinicians, with a mean age of 45 years (95% CI 44-46) and 17 years of professional experience (95% CI 16-18) filled out the survey. 384 were psychiatrists (79.5%), 67 neurologists (13.9%) and 19 addictive behavior specialists (3.9%). When their opinions were compared about the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in childhood, adolescence and adulthood, significant differences of opinion were found regarding the three stages in all the dimensions analyzed (p<0.0001). Assessment in adulthood systematically showed a lower degree of awareness compared to ADHD in childhood and adolescence.

Conclusions: In the clinician’s opinion, ADHD in adulthood is a clinical entity that is less defined and whose diagnosis is not as clear, compared to ADHD in the other stages in life. The GEDA-A group suggests that it is necessary to have more comprehensive training that makes the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in adults easier.