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It is important to examine ADHD patients’ symptoms relative to home, social, and work life.
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QandADHD
FACT SHEET
How colleagues are examining patients’ symptoms relative to home, work, and social settings.
This is an informal, uncontrolled survey which is not intended to be relied upon as being representative of prevalent position among clinicians or the current research in this area.
1
In fact, 48% of ADHD patients may not share their ADHD symptoms with a doctor.*1
2
Adults may be challenged by activities and tasks that happen before and after their workday, including those symptoms experienced at home and in social settings.2-4
Adult ADHD symptoms may negatively impact activities at home.5
If symptoms persist beyond work, shouldn't we ask about multiple settings?
3
Symptoms of inattention such as often being forgetful in daily activities and difficulty with organization can make it challenging to accomplish daily tasks like remembering to pay bills on time and keeping appointments.3,6,7
4
Adults with ADHD may have a difficult time keeping track of items used for daily activities, such as keys, wallets, glasses or mobile phones.3
Adult ADHD symptoms can negatively impact social activities.4
The impact of ADHD extends beyond the workplace.4
5
In most individuals with ADHD, symptoms of motoric hyperactivity become less obvious in adulthood, but difficulties with restlessness, inattention, poor planning, and impulsivity persist.3
6
In order to have ADHD, several symptoms must, among other diagnostic criteria, be present in two or more settings and interfere with or reduce the quality of social, academic, or occupational functioning.3
Some adults with ADHD may struggle to manage symptoms on their own.6-8
Are we recognizing the true impact of ADHD on patients, inside and outside daily work life?
7
Inattentive symptoms of adult ADHD such as often being forgetful in daily activities and difficulty with organization can often impact work productivity.4,9 It’s important not only to talk about symptoms patients experience at work, but how they feel symptoms may be affecting other areas of their life.3,4
8
Adults with ADHD may develop coping mechanisms, but they may spend excessive amounts of energy to manage symptoms on their own.4,8
9
To meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, several symptoms of ADHD (inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive) must be present in two or more settings (e.g., at home, at work, in social settings). Research shows each patient's treatment plan should be individualized based on your assessment of each patient's needs and desires.1-5
*Proportion estimated from a cumulative lifetime probability curve in a weighted number of respondents with a lifetime history of ADHD (n=253) using collected data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication of 9,282 adults aged 18 to 44 years conducted from 2000 to 2003. These individuals meet the criteria for ADHD according to the World Mental Health-Composite Internal Diagnostic Interview.
1. Wang PS, Berglund P, Olfson M, et al. Failure and delay in initial treatment contact after first onset of mental disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005;62(6):603-613. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.603.
2. Adler LA, Chua HC. Management of ADHD in adults. J Clin Psychiatry. 2002:63(Suppl 12):29-35.
3. American Psychiatric Association. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013:59-65.
4. Ginsberg Y, Quintero J, Anand E, et al. Underdiagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adult patients: a review of the literature. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3).
5. Eakin L, Minde K, Hechtman L, et al. The marital and family functioning of adults with ADHD and their spouses. J Atten Disord. 2004;8(1):1-10. doi: 10.1177/108705470400800101.
6. Goodman DW, Lasser RA, Babcock T, et al. Managing ADHD across the lifespan in the primary care setting. Postgrad Med. 2011;123(5):14-26. doi: 10.3810/pgm.2011.09.2456.
7. Brod M, Perwein A, Adler L, et al. Conceptualization and assessment of quality of life for adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Prim Psychiatry. 2005;12(6):58-64.
8. Asherson P, Akehurst R, Kooij JJS, et al. Under diagnosis of adult ADHD: cultural influences and societal burden. J Atten Disord. 2012;16(5 Suppl):20S-38S. doi: 10.1177/1087054711435360.
9. Subcommittee on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; Steering Committee on Quality Improvement and Management. ADHD: clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2011;128(5):1007-1022.
10. Pliszka S; AACAP Work Group on Quality Issues. Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007:46(7):894-921.
11. Murphy K. Psychosocial treatments for ADHD in teens and adults: a practice-friendly review. J Clin Psychol. 2005;61(5):607-619.