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ADHD in Adults: A Clinical Concern

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ADHD in Adults

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Psychiatry ((CCPSY))

Abstract

ADHD is an established disorder with widespread development of clinical services for children and adolescents. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies also demonstrate the continuity of symptoms and impairments into adult life in many cases. This chapter provides an overview of the key clinical concerns and impact of ADHD on adults and emphasizes the importance of ADHD to adult psychopathology. The range of impairments is broad. At one end of the spectrum are high functioning individuals who cope well in many aspects of their lives, but struggle with symptoms such as chronic disorganization, restlessness, inability to relax, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. On the other hand, some individuals with ADHD are among the most dysfunctional in society, having considerable difficulties maintaining themselves in employment, completing simple everyday tasks, developing relationships, controlling their temper and being drawn into antisocial behavior, and drug and alcohol abuse. The severity of the symptoms of ADHD in some cases explains the frequent difficulty non-specialists can have in distinguishing ADHD from other mental health problems such as bipolar and personality disorders. The overall conclusion is that ADHD is a distinct condition that often has serious consequences for adults as well as children and adolescents. Because ADHD in adults is a common source of personal and societal suffering, because it is highly treatable, because it compounds other disorders, and because services for adults with ADHD are limited, ADHD deserves the full attention of those working in adult mental health.

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Correspondence to Philip Asherson M.B., B.S., M.R.C.Psych., Ph.D. .

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Asherson, P. (2013). ADHD in Adults: A Clinical Concern. In: Surman, C. (eds) ADHD in Adults. Current Clinical Psychiatry. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-248-3_1

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