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Cited by 390Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchDevelopmental and Educational Neuropsychology

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 91 of the 92 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Diagnostic Controversies in Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

McGough, James J., Barkley, Russell A.·2004·American Journal of Psychiatry
DOI 10.1176/appi.ajp.161.11.1948
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: While it is increasingly recognized that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) persists into adulthood, there is no consensus on diagnostic criteria for adult ADHD. In this article the authors describe and contrast competing approaches for diagnosis of adult ADHD used in clinical and research practice. METHOD: The authors review the Wender Utah criteria, DSM criteria, and laboratory assessment strategies for adult ADHD. Advantages and disadvantages of each approach are described, and recommendations are made as a basis for clinical assessment and future research. RESULTS: Both the Wender Utah criteria and DSM-based approaches identify significantly impaired ADHD adults with neurocognitive, biological, and treatment response patterns similar to pediatric ADHD patients. The Wender Utah criteria established the need for retrospective childhood diagnosis and recognize developmental differences in adult symptom expression. The Wender Utah criteria fail to identify patients with predominantly inattentive symptoms, exclude some patients with significant comorbid psychopathology, and diverge significantly from the DSM conception of ADHD. The DSM criteria have never been validated in adults, do not include developmentally appropriate symptoms and thresholds for adults, and fail to identify some significantly impaired adults who are likely to benefit from treatment. There are insufficient scientific data to justify use of laboratory assessment measures, including neuropsychological tests and brain imaging, in diagnosing adult ADHD. CONCLUSIONS: Adult ADHD remains a clinical diagnosis. Clinicians should be flexible in application of the current ADHD criteria to adults. Additional research is required to validate adult diagnostic criteria.

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Metadata

Authors
McGough, J. J., & Barkley, R. A.
Affiliations
University of California, Los Angeles (US)
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher
American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Published
2004-11-01
Volume
161
Issue
11
Pages
1948-1956
ISSN
  • 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
  • 1535-7228
DOI
10.1176/appi.ajp.161.11.1948
OpenAlex
W2164720019
Cited by
388
References
92
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 37
FWCI
13.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (K23MH001966, MH 01966)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
Keywords
adult ADHD, ADHD diagnosis, diagnostic criteria, DSM diagnostic criteria, laboratory evaluation, neuropsychological assessment, neuroimaging, comorbid psychopathology
MeSH terms
Adult, Age Factors, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Child, Electroencephalography, Humans, Neuropsychological Tests, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychometrics, Reproducibility of Results, Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

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