Part 2. Adult ADHD: Clinical Criteria for Diagnosis and Management

Historically considered a childhood disorder, the recognition of ADHD in adults is increasing among the public and medical community. Follow-up studies have consistently documented the persistence of ADHD into adulthood, yet disagreement over the degree to which ADHD is a chronic disorder continues. Furthermore, the subjectivity of ADHD symptoms in adults, combined with a lack of a "gold standard" to confirm the diagnosis, has had a negative effect on the recognition of this disorder. This is significant given the potential impact of adult ADHD on quality of life. Similar challenges extend into the management of adult ADHD. With medication as first-line treatment, clinicians need to choose the most effective strategy from among the available therapeutic options. The integration of self-management and behavioral approaches into the treatment plan and their effectiveness must be addressed as well. Also complicating the clinical scenario is the high prevalence of comorbid psychiatric conditions in these patients. Distinguishing these disorders from ADHD and identifying the most appropriate algorithms for management remain a challenge.