Gender effects on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder in adults, revisited

Summary & key facts

This study reexamined gender differences in adult ADHD by comparing 219 adults with ADHD to 215 control subjects matched for age and gender. The researchers found no evidence that gender changed how ADHD related to other psychiatric disorders. Adults with ADHD showed cognitive deficits and higher rates of major depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and antisocial personality disorder. The authors said these results are similar to findings in children and support the validity of adult ADHD.

Key facts:

• The study sample included 219 adults with ADHD and 215 control subjects matched on age and gender.
• There was no evidence that gender moderated (changed) the link between ADHD and other psychiatric disorders in this sample.
• Adults with ADHD in this study had cognitive deficits compared with controls.
• Adults with ADHD had higher rates of major depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and antisocial personality disorder than control subjects.
• The authors reported that these adult findings resemble results seen in pediatric ADHD studies and said this supports the validity of ADHD in adults and underscores the importance of identifying and treating the disorder in adulthood.

Topics

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development Functional Brain Connectivity Studies

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Psychiatry and Mental health

Tags

Anxiety Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Clinical psychology Cognition Comorbidity Conduct disorder Depression (economics) Economics Macroeconomics Psychiatry Psychology