ADHD across the Lifespan - Symptoms and new Diagnostic Approaches

作者：Schmidt Soeren^*; Petermann Franz

来源：Zeitschrift für Psychiatrie, Psychologie und Psychotherapie, 2011, 59(3): 227-238.

DOI：10.1024/1661-4747/a000074

• ADHD in adulthood
• developmental psychopathology
• comorbidity
• delinquency
• driving abilities
• costs

ADHD in adults can be regarded as a lifespan disorder, whose importance for the health system is demonstrated by a number of international studies. Various studies focus on the life span perspective, with special regards to the developmental stages in which a qualitative change of symptoms is expected. Furthermore several studies assess the comorbidity of ADHD in adulthood, its history and try to isolate the factors that lead to a negative developmental path. In recent years improvements in the field of diagnostic and therapy can be observed. Diagnostic instruments for the assessment of adult ADHD with high psychometric properties are available and can be used in the clinical diagnostic process. Different psychotherapeutic programs have also been developed, which provide a wide range of possibilities for therapists. In addition to the clinical symptoms the impact on ADHD is discussed with respect to new findings regarding the connection between delinquincy and driving abilities. In addition, figures on socio-economic importance are discussed, which lead to the point that therapeutic care is essential.

• 出版日期2011