The effects of a late diagnosis in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on life trajectories

Abstract

Nowadays people are more aware of ADHD, especially in children, however there still adults that are not yet diagnosed, or got diagnosed in their adulthood. Therefore, it is crucial to uncover the effects associated with an adulthood diagnosis on life trajectories. The research question: ‘How does an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood effect an individual’s life trajectory?’ The PEO framework was utilized to organize this dissertation, regarding the effect of a late diagnosis in adults with ADHD on life trajectories. The elements of the PEO framework included adults as the population, the effects of late diagnoses and undiagnosed ADHD in adults as the exposure, and the impact on life trajectories as the outcome. The inclusion criteria include studies in the English language, studies published after 2010, studies focusing or including adults, peer reviewed articles, and studies that included the keywords. The exclusion criteria include studies not published in the English language, studies published before 2010, non-peer reviewed articles, studies that focused on children and adolescents. EBSCO database was used to access Academic Search Ultimate, AgeLine, CINAHL Complete, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Methodology Register, MEDLINE Complete, and APA PsycInfo. Seven literatures were retrieved and examined by the CAT tools using the PRISMA checklists and CASP. The main findings were: course of ADHD, cognitive dysfunction, comorbidity, temperament, social function, self-esteem. Results show that it is very complex to diagnose adults with ADHD. Since other mental comorbidities are common and can easily mask ADHD. It was found that the most cognitive function affected by ADHD is the working memory, while other cognitive functions will improve by aging. Temperament tests showed emotional dysregulation is featured in adults with ADHD. Adults with ADHD struggled with social relationships, family life, and to maintain healthy relationships. Findings show a positive correlation between social functioning and self-esteem. ADHD criteria was developed on children’s symptoms which does not reflect how it is presented in adults. Hence, the main recommendations of this study were to alter DSM-5 criteria to properly depicts manifestations in adulthood, and to increase education amongst professionals and the general public in order to recognise adult ADHD symptomology. This will lead to opportunities for a more ADHD specific services.