Diagnosis, Assessment and Treatment of ADHD Through the Lifespan, with a Focus on Adult ADHD and Newer Data and Therapies-View Presentation

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Video Summary

In the video presentation on ADHD across the lifespan, Dr. Leonard Adler discusses the complexities and considerations involved in diagnosing and treating ADHD in adults. Dr. Adler emphasizes that ADHD, traditionally viewed as a childhood disorder, persists into adulthood for many individuals, with 50-60% of those diagnosed as children continuing to exhibit symptoms later in life. He articulates the importance of a thorough evaluation, which includes taking a detailed developmental history and utilizing validated rating scales to assess symptoms and impairment. Dr. Adler points out that alongside the core symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, adults with ADHD often experience executive function deficits and emotional dysregulation, which can significantly contribute to their impairment.<br /><br />Dr. Adler discusses the pharmacological options for ADHD, differentiating between stimulants and non-stimulants and weighing considerations such as comorbid disorders and the potential for misuse and diversion of medication. He presents findings from meta-analyses and emphasizes the importance of checking prescription histories through databases to minimize prescribing errors in patients who may be seeking medication for misuse. The presentation also touches upon the increase in ADHD diagnosis rates during the pandemic, underlining the need for careful diagnosis and appropriate therapy.<br /><br />Finally, he discusses some ongoing research and treatments, such as neurofeedback and cognitive-behavioral therapy, and notes the upcoming release of U.S. guidelines for adult ADHD by the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders to aid clinicians in making informed treatment decisions.

Keywords

ADHD

adulthood

diagnosis

treatment

Dr. Leonard Adler

evaluation

symptoms

pharmacological options

stimulants

non-stimulants

comorbid disorders

neurofeedback

cognitive-behavioral therapy