ADHD in children and adults: diagnosis and prognosis

Abstract

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders with childhood onset, having a chronic course associated with high dysfunction and morbidity throughout life. Despite significant advances in our understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of the disorder, diagnosis of ADHD remains strictly clinical and is based on behavioral symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. In this chapter, we review the diagnostic process and current controversies in the diagnosis of ADHD, discuss the clinical presentation of the disorder across the lifespan, and examine the patterns of comorbidity and the longitudinal predictors of outcomes. We conclude by pointing out some of the challenges that need to be addressed in future classifications systems to improve the characterization and validity of the diagnosis of ADHD.