Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adultfood

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with significant in attention or/and hyperactivity-impulsivity in more than two areas within school, family, or workplace. Although this disorder frequently lasts into adulthood, recent cohort studies suggest that ADHD in childhood mostly attain remission until adulthood, and that some non-ADHD patients show significant ADHD symptoms in adulthood. The following study examined what kind of factors predict the continuity from childhood to adulthood. These results suggest the importance of severity of ADHD symptoms, and comorbid disorders (depression, conduct disorder) in prediction of continuity. For the proper diagnosis, history taking about childhood life events is critically important, however, it is sometimes difficult because of recall bias. In addition, some ADHD symptoms are quite similar to other psychiatric disorders. ADHD are often comorbid with mood or anxiety disorders. In these cases, outstanding symptoms should be treated first and the other disorder should be assessed and treated after remission of the first outstanding symptoms.