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Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Adult

Ulunma Natalie Umesi, MBA, MD, Camille A Archer, M.D. and Ambreka Benons, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

  • Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (adult ADHD) is a pattern of behaviors that include inattention and/or hyperactivity or impulsivity. It is present in multiple settings that impai...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Diagnosis is made from patient’s history and detailing patient’s current level of functioning in at least two different settings (e.g., work and home).

  • It is important to gather history of pa...

TREATMENT

  • Most of the research and medication trials have been performed in children.

  • There is increasing evidence that medications used in children are also effective in adults (2)[A].

ALERT

Because st...

ONGOING CARE

Transfer from pediatric to adult care must be closely coordinated to avoid hiatus in treatment. 

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Close follow-up of medication as dose is titrated to monitor for s...

REFERENCES

1
Young  JL, Goodman  DW. Adult attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder diagnosis, management, and treatment in the DSM-5 era. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord.  ...

ADDITIONAL READING

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . 5th ed. Arlington, VA: Amer...

CODES

ICD10

  • F90.9 Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, unspecified type

  • F90.1 Attn-defct hyperactivity disorder, predom hyperactive type

  • F90.0 Attn-defct hyperactivity disorder, predom inattentive t...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Adult ADHD results in inattention, easy distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior; it is associated with low self-esteem, problematic interpersonal relationships, and diff...

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