Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Assessment and Treatment Considerations

ABSTRACT

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has, historically, been viewed as a childhood disorder which would be outgrown by adulthood. More recent findings have established that the disorder often persists into adulthood in a significant number of those diagnosed as children. Due to increased awareness and media attention being focused on ADHD in adults, greater numbers of adults are seeking evaluation and treatment for this disorder. The symptoms of ADHD are common to a variety of other psychiatric disorders including learning disabilities, so clinicians need to update their knowledge of assessment, treatment, and differential diagnosis issues regarding this often misunderstood disorder. This article discusses some current methods used in the assessment and treatment of adults with ADHD.

KEY WORDS

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - assessment - treatment