Adult ADHD:

Prevalence for strictly applied operational definitions of ADHD decline with age. A recent review of longitudinal follow-up studies of individuals diagnosed with ADHD as children found that by age 25 only 15% retained the full ADHD diagnosis. However, a much larger proportion (65%) fulfilled criteria for either ADHD or ADHD in partial remission, indicating the persistence of some symptoms associated with clinical impairments in the majority of cases (Faraone et al, 2006). Applying these figures to the prevalence range commonly seen in children of 4–8%, one would expect to find 0.6–1.2% of adults retaining the full diagnosis by age 25 years and a larger percentage (2–4%) with ADHD in partial remission. This is consistent with population surveys in adult populations that estimate prevalence of ADHD in adults to be between 3 and 4% (Faraone & Biederman, 2005; Kessler et al, 2006). (CG72 page 2)

ADHD is associated with a significant financial and emotional costs to the healthcare system, education services, carers and families and society as a whole. Providing effective treatment will improve the quality of life of individuals with ADHD, their carers and their families, and at the same time will reduce the financial implications and psychological burden of ADHD to society. (CG72 page 42)

AADD-UK provides advice, information, and support to adults with ADHD, and we are also campaigning for lasting, positive change for all adults affected by ADHD. Please contact us at aadd.org@googlemail.com either for more information about our work or if you are interested in portraying ADHD in a positive manner.

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