Hyperactives as young adults: a controlled prospective ten-year follow-up of 75 children

Abstract

This study reports on a variety of outcome variables from 75 hyperactive and 44 matched control subjects aged 17 to 24 years (mean ages, 19.5 and 19.0 years, respectively). All hyperactive subjects have been followed up for 10 to 12 years; they were first evaluated at 6 to 12 years of age. None of the hyperactive subjects was treated with methylphenidate, although a subgroup received chlorpromazine or a mixture of drugs (excluding methylphenidate). The hyperactive subjects had less education than the controls and a history of more car accidents and more geographical moves. However, only a minority were still engaged in continued antisocial behavior or had evidence of severe psychopathology. No subjects were found to be psychotic, but two were diagnosed as borderline psychotic. There was evidence that hyperactive subjects had some continued symptoms from the hyperkinetic child syndrome, including impulsive personality traits.