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The intraindividual impact of ADHD on the transition of adulthood to old age

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore whether the individual burden of ADHD is the same in the elderly as in younger ages even though the symptomatological impact of ADHD seems to remain stable over the lifespan. To assess ADHD symptoms and ADHD-associated problems in daily life, standardised questionnaires were conducted. To assess the subjectively experienced course of disease over the lifespan, all participants were interviewed regarding symptoms of ADHD in childhood as well as before and after the fiftieth year of life. In the sample of 296 respondents with a mean age of 69.55 years, 11 fulfilled the criteria of adult ADHD. Retrospectively, the ADHD subjects reported negative impacts due to ADHD-associated behaviour over the life span. These impairments remained stable over time with 18 % of subjects reporting impairments in family life, 46 % in social relationships, 18 % in dealing with money, and 36 % in organisation of daily life in the presence. Thus, the ADHD subjects reported problems with stability over time caused by low self-confidence, being quick-tempered, and due to defiantness. Although this is pilot study, our results reflect the burden of ADHD not only in young and middle adulthood, but also in seniority. The findings indicate the lifelong impact of ADHD as the explored seniors with ADHD reported the negative impact of ADHD remaining stable over the lifespan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, 66421, Homburg, Saar, Germany

    Florence Philipp-Wiegmann, Petra Retz-Junginger & Michael Rösler

  2. Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Mainz, Mainz, Germany

    Wolfgang Retz

Authors
  1. Florence Philipp-Wiegmann
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  2. Petra Retz-Junginger
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  3. Wolfgang Retz
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  4. Michael Rösler
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Correspondence to Florence Philipp-Wiegmann.

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Philipp-Wiegmann, F., Retz-Junginger, P., Retz, W. et al. The intraindividual impact of ADHD on the transition of adulthood to old age. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 266, 367–371 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-015-0644-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-015-0644-7

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