What is the prevalence of ADHD among adults, and how is it usually treated?”
In this study, 281 cocaine abusers seeking treatment were assessed for adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Structured assessments included the SCID for DSM-IV, a SCID-like module for ADHD, and a pattern of drug use questionnaire. The sample consisted of 82% men, 67% African-Americans, 19% Hispanics, and 14% Caucasians identified at several treatment sites. Average age was 33.7±.4 years. Twelve percent (n=34) of the sample met DSM-IV criteria for childhood ADHD. Of the entire sample, 10% (n=27), or 79% of the patients diagnosed with childhood ADHD, had adult ADHD. A history of conduct disorder and antisocial personality disorder were prevalent among those with adult ADHD (63% and 52%, respectively). This subpopulation of cocaine abusers may be one of the most difficult-to-treat cocaine-abusing groups, particularly if the ADHD remains undetected. To provide effective treatment for cocaine abusers, clinicians may need to identify subpopulations of patients, such as thos
The Prevalence and Correlates of Adult ADHD in the United States: Results From the National Comorbidity Survey Replication OBJECTIVE: Despite growing interest in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), little is known about its prevalence or correlates. METHOD: A screen for adult ADHD was included in a probability subsample (N=3,199) of 18–44-year-old respondents in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication, a nationally representative household survey that used a lay-administered diagnostic interview to assess a wide range of DSM-IV disorders. Blinded clinical follow-up interviews of adult ADHD were carried out with 154 respondents, oversampling those with positive screen results. Multiple imputation was used to estimate prevalence and correlates of clinician-assessed adult ADHD. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of current adult ADHD was 4.4%. Significant correlates included being male, previously married, unemployed, and non-Hispanic white. Adult ADHD was highly com
According to the research ADHD is a most common problem. ADHD afflicts approximately 3 to 5 percent of the school age children and an estimated 60% of those will maintain the disorder into adulthood. The prevalence rates for ADHD in adults are not as well determined as rates for children, but fall in the 1 to 5 percent range. It affects males at higher rate than the females in childhood, but this ratio seems to even out by adulthood. Its symptoms normally appear before the age of 7 years. The most common type of drugs used to treat ADHD is called a stimulus. Medications may also improve physical coordination.
