Burden of ADHD

ADHD is a diverse disorder with complex epidemiology and aetiology, which can have a significant impact on affected individuals’ lives.

What is ADHD?

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or hyperkinetic disorder (HKD), is a diverse neurodevelopmental condition characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, and can have a significant impact on affected individuals’ lives.^1,2 There are two key medical classification systems used to define ADHD:

The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 5th Edition (DSM-5^TM) medical classification system which defines ADHD as “a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development”.¹
The International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11), which defines ADHD as “a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that has a direct negative impact on academic, occupational or social functioning”.²

How common is ADHD?

ADHD is known to persist across the lifespan and affects people of all ages. ADHD prevalence rates vary between children, adolescents and adults (Figure 1), and by gender and symptom presentation.^1,3-9

UNDERSTANDING ADHD: A LIFELONG JOURNEY

FIGURE 1

SUMMARY OF ADHD PREVALENCE RATES IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS.

Figure developed from multiple sources.^3-7,10

VIDEO: An introduction to ADHD in adults

Prof Guy Goodwin, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

Watch now on NeuroscienceZone (an educational platform developed and funded by Takeda)

Watch now on NeuroscienceZone

What comorbid psychiatric disorders are associated with ADHD?

The majority of adults with ADHD have a diagnosed or undiagnosed psychiatric comorbidity, which can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD (Figure 2).^2,11,12

FIGURE 2

MAIN COMORBID PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IN ADULT ADHD.

Reproduced with permission from Kooij JJS et al. J Atten Disord 2012; 16(5 Suppl): 3S-19S.¹³

UNDERSTANDING ADHD: EXPLORING ASSOCIATED PSYCHIATRIC COMORBIDITIES

What causes ADHD?

The aetiology of ADHD is complex and is thought to have a neurobiological component, an underlying genetic component and be associated with several environmental risk factors, which may increase the likelihood of some ADHD symptoms.^14-66

What is the impact of ADHD?

ADHD can have a significant social impact on affected individuals’ lives, causing disruption at school, work, and in relationships.^67-75 Symptoms of ADHD may also increase risk-taking behaviour.^67,76,77 Consequently, the quality of life of individuals with ADHD may be impaired, although some positive aspects of ADHD have been reported.^{22,68,69,78-84} ADHD can also be associated with substantial economic burden for the individual, their family and societal healthcare services.^85,86

UNDERSTANDING ADHD: RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

References:

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Hoogman M, Muetzel R, Guimaraes JP, et al. Brain imaging of the cortex in ADHD: a coordinated analysis of large-scale clinical and population-based samples. Am J Psychiatry 2019; 176: 531-542.
Hoogman M, Bralten J, Hibar DP, et al. Subcortical brain volume differences in participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults: a cross-sectional mega-analysis. Lancet Psychiatry 2017; 4: 310-319.
Si FF, Liu L, Li HM, et al. Cortical morphometric abnormality and its association with working memory in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Psychiatry Investig 2021; 18: 679-687.
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Lin H, Lin Q, Li H, et al. Functional connectivity of attention-related networks in drug-naïve children with ADHD. J Atten Disord 2021; 25: 377-388.
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References

Date of preparation: March 2023; Job code: C-ANPROM/EUC/NBU/0002

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Burden of ADHD

ADHD is a diverse disorder with complex epidemiology and aetiology, which can have a significant impact on affected individuals’ lives.

What is ADHD?

How common is ADHD?

UNDERSTANDING ADHD: A LIFELONG JOURNEY

FIGURE 1

SUMMARY OF ADHD PREVALENCE RATES IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS.

Figure developed from multiple sources.^3-7,10

VIDEO: An introduction to ADHD in adults

What comorbid psychiatric disorders are associated with ADHD?

FIGURE 2

MAIN COMORBID PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IN ADULT ADHD.

Reproduced with permission from Kooij JJS et al. J Atten Disord 2012; 16(5 Suppl): 3S-19S.¹³

UNDERSTANDING ADHD: EXPLORING ASSOCIATED PSYCHIATRIC COMORBIDITIES

What causes ADHD?

What is the impact of ADHD?

UNDERSTANDING ADHD: RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Explore Burden of ADHD

Impact of ADHD

Comorbidities

Epidemiology

Register as a healthcare professional

Burden of ADHD

ADHD is a diverse disorder with complex epidemiology and aetiology, which can have a significant impact on affected individuals’ lives.

What is ADHD?

How common is ADHD?

UNDERSTANDING ADHD: A LIFELONG JOURNEY

FIGURE 1

SUMMARY OF ADHD PREVALENCE RATES IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS.

Figure developed from multiple sources.3-7,10

VIDEO: An introduction to ADHD in adults

What comorbid psychiatric disorders are associated with ADHD?

FIGURE 2

MAIN COMORBID PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IN ADULT ADHD.

Reproduced with permission from Kooij JJS et al. J Atten Disord 2012; 16(5 Suppl): 3S-19S.13

UNDERSTANDING ADHD: EXPLORING ASSOCIATED PSYCHIATRIC COMORBIDITIES

What causes ADHD?

What is the impact of ADHD?

UNDERSTANDING ADHD: RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Explore Burden of ADHD

Impact of ADHD

Comorbidities

Epidemiology

Register as a healthcare professional

Figure developed from multiple sources.^3-7,10

Reproduced with permission from Kooij JJS et al. J Atten Disord 2012; 16(5 Suppl): 3S-19S.¹³