ADHD in adults: a review of the literature.

J Atten Disord

Queen's University, Department of Psychology, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Published: May 2008

AI Article Synopsis

  • ADHD presents significant challenges for adults, and the review aims to evaluate current knowledge and offer practical information for clinicians about assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
  • A comprehensive assessment should involve symptom rating scales, clinical interviews, neuropsychological testing, and patient report corroboration, with a need for better diagnostic criteria tailored for adults.
  • Pharmacological treatments, particularly stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine, show the most support, while evidence for psychosocial treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy combined with medication is still limited.

Article Abstract

Objective: ADHD presents significant challenges to adults. The current review's goals are (a) to critically examine the current state of knowledge regarding ADHD in adults and (b) to provide clinicians with practice-friendly information regarding assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.

Method: Searches of PsycINFO and Medline were conducted, and reference lists from articles and books were searched for additional relevant references.

Results/conclusion: A valid and reliable assessment should be comprehensive and include the use of symptom rating scales, a clinical interview, neuropsychological testing, and the corroboration of patient reports. Specific diagnostic criteria that are more sensitive and specific to adult functioning are needed. In treatment, pharmacological interventions have the most empirical support, with the stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine and the antidepressants desipramine and atomoxetine having the highest efficacy rates. Scientific research on psychosocial treatments is lacking, with preliminary evidence supporting the combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and medication.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1087054707310878DOI Listing

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