Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: common in primary care, misdiagnosed, and impairing, but highly responsive to treatment

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common (2.5% of adults) and highly genetic condition that adversely affects individuals across the lifespan.¹ GPs will be familiar with the consequences of ADHD (for example, substance misuse, mood instability, divorce, obesity, teenage pregnancy, road traffic accidents, criminality, and underachievement). However, ADHD may be overlooked as the underlying problem, despite the potential for treatment to change lives dramatically.

Many adults were not diagnosed as children despite sometimes having features of ADHD in childhood; females suffer ADHD more than previously understood, and high-functioning adults may still be severely impaired. In adults, ADHD may present more subtly: patients may concentrate during a consultation and the core features of ADHD may be hidden behind (or mistaken for) a more familiar comorbidity (for example, mood disorder).

Despite the known severe impairments and negative consequences of ADHD, there may be inadequate service provision. However, this must not be misinterpreted as treatment futility; treatment is very effective both in reducing symptoms of ADHD and improving function.