A pilot service for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a descriptive study
| Date | 15 July 2011 |
| Published date | 15 July 2011 |
| Pages | 47-52 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20441281111165607 |
| Author | Febin Edwin |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities |
A pilot service for adults with attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder: a descriptive
study
Febin Edwin
Abstract
Purpose – The aim of this descriptive study is to highlight the number and co-morbid health needs of
adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) presenting to a pilot adult ADHD service.
Design/methodology/approach – This study aimed to focus on the epidemiologic data such as total
number of referrals, source of referrals, sex ratio, follow-up treatments, and co-morbid diagnosis. The
number of referrals between March and October 2009 were looked at. The study population included
adults aged 18-65 years including adults with mild intellectual disabilities. A total of 117 adults were
referred to the pilot ADHD service for adults and 105 patients were assessed.
Findings – The commonest source of referral was from general practice (n¼60) 57 per cent. New
diagnosis of adult ADHD was around (n¼47) in 39.1 per cent of those who presented. Over 80 per cent
of the patients were males. Around (n¼55), 58 per cent of adults with ADHD had a co-morbid
diagnosis. About 4 per cent (n¼4) of the referrals were from the adult learning disability services.
Originality/value – The findings from the descriptive study suggest a significant gap in diagnostic
services for adults with ADHD who present with high rates of co-morbidity.
Keywords Attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, ADHD, Learning disabilities, Intellectual disability,
Adults, Co-morbidity
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Assessment and diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is
complex. Adult psychiatrists may be less familiar with how to obtain a good developmental
history. This is possibly due to lack of time and the routine taking of a developmental history.
Child clinicians, on the other hand, are often unwilling to manage adult ADHD patients with
ADHD due to the age limits in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) (Weiss
and Murray, 2003). Adults with ADHD do not typically recognize that they have the disorder
until they receive the diagnosis (Karger, 2010).
Co-morbid disorders are common in adults with ADHD (Kooij et al., 2001; Kessler et al., 2006;
Torgersen et al., 2006). Core symptoms of adult ADHD include problems with attention,
concentration, hyperactivity,motor restlessness and impulsivity. Common symptoms of adult
ADHD include poor sleep, fluctuating appetite, low energy, and mood. These symptoms are
easily understood within the framework of mood disorders. Adult psychiatrists are more
familiar with these symptoms. This leads to diagnosis of affective disorders and the
contribution from ADHD is missed (Fitzgerald, 2001). Some of the co-morbid disorders that
accompany ADHD are developmental disordersin their own right. Adult psychiatrists often do
not recognize these conditions such as autism spectrum conditions, intellectual disabilities
(Seager and O’Brien, 2003) or Tourette’s syndrome.
The same pharmacological treatments that are proven to work in children appear to benefit
adults with ADHD (Wilens et al., 2001, 2002). The first-line of treatment has been stimulant
DOI 10.1108/20441281111165607 VOL. 5 NO. 4 2011, pp. 47-52, QEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282
j
ADVANCES IN MENTALHEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
j
PAGE 47
Febin Edwin is a Consultant
Psychiatrist, Tees Esk and
Wear Valleys NHS
Foundation Trust,
Darlington, UK.
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