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Diagnostic issues for adolescents and adults with ADHD
Author(s) -
Wasserstein Jeanette
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.20118
Subject(s) - comorbidity , impulsivity , psychology , psychiatry , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , population , affect (linguistics) , clinical psychology , psychiatric comorbidity , medicine , environmental health , communication
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood neuropsychiatric syndrome once thought to disappear with maturation. Current data indicate that ADHD remains “hidden” in many of the grownups who had it as children. Adult prevalence rates range from 1% to 6% of the population. Research suggests the core childhood symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity shift with development, perhaps transforming into more overt difficulties in executive functions and affect regulation. ADHD is also usually nestled with other comorbid psychiatric conditions, especially in adolescents and adults, further complicating diagnosis and treatment. This article discusses how to recognize and diagnose ADHD in older patients. Key points include core symptoms present during childhood, appropriate family history in this strongly genetic condition, management of comorbidity, and the evolving role of diagnostic testing. Other medical causes for similar symptoms are considered. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol/In Session 61: 535–547, 2005.