Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common developmental disorder of the brain with the essential features of a persistent pattern of age-inappropriate inattention and/or hyperactivity–impulsivity. The symptom-based diagnosis of ADHD in elite athletes is not different from that of ADHD in the general population. However, athletes’ fame and advanced athletic skills can be obstacles to diagnosis by clinicians. ADHD symptoms can negatively affect sports performance, while ADHD may play a salient role in the choice of both sport as a career and competition at the elite level. Stimulants are the primary pharmacological treatment for ADHD in the general population and in elite athletes. Atomoxetine is the first-line medication for the treatment of ADHD among sports psychiatrists. The management of ADHD should focus on psychosocial interventions with or without medication to optimize long-term outcomes for elite athletes in sports and in life.