Cited by 347Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchSchizophrenia research and treatment

Adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: key conceptual issues

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Asherson, Philip, Buitelaar, Jan, Faraone, Stephen V, Rohde, Luis A·2016·The Lancet Psychiatry

Abstract

For many years, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was thought to be a childhood-onset disorder that has a limited effect on adult psychopathology. However, the symptoms and impairments that define ADHD often affect the adult population, with similar responses to drugs such as methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine, and psychosocial interventions, to those seen in children and adolescents. As a result, awareness of ADHD in adults has rapidly increased and new clinical practice has emerged across the world. Despite this progress, treatment of adult ADHD in Europe and many other regions of the world is not yet common practice, and diagnostic services are often unavailable or restricted to a few specialist centres. This situation is remarkable given the strong evidence base for safe and effective treatments. Here we address some of the key conceptual issues surrounding the diagnosis of ADHD relevant to practising health-care professionals working with adult populations. We conclude that ADHD should be recognised in the same way as other common adult mental health disorders, and that failure to recognise and treat ADHD is detrimental to the wellbeing of many patients seeking help for common mental health problems.

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. [38]38. Edebol H, Helldin L, Norlander T. Measuring adult Attention Defi cit Hyperactivity Disorder using the Quantifi ed Behavior Test Plus. PsyCh journal 2013; 2(1): 48-62.
  2. [80]80. Caye A, Rocha TM, Anselmi L, et al. ADHD does not always begin in childhood: Evidence from a large birth cohort. JAMA Psychiatry (in press).
  3. [81]81. Agnew-Blais JC, Polanczyk GV, Danese A, et al. Persistence, remission and emergence of ADHD in young adulthood: results from a longitudinal, prospective population-based cohort. JAMA Psychiatry (in press).

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Authors
Asherson, P., Buitelaar, J., Faraone, S. V., & Rohde, L. A.
Affiliations
  • King's College London (GB)
  • Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
  • SUNY Upstate Medical University (US)
Corresponding author
Asherson, Philip
Venue
The Lancet Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-06
Volume
3
Issue
6
Pages
568-578
ISSN
2215-0366 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2347548955
Cited by
347
References
99
Citations by year
2026: 36 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 46 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 40 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 8
FWCI
3.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Lancet Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
  • Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for mental health, NIHR/MRC (14/23/17)
  • Action Medical Research (GN 2315)
  • European Union (643051, 602805, 667303)
  • National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (grant number 304678/2010-4)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
Keywords
adult ADHD, ADHD diagnosis, ADHD treatment, methylphenidate, d-amphetamine, atomoxetine, psychosocial interventions, adult mental health, underdiagnosis, conceptual difficulties
MeSH terms
Adult, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Humans, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

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