ADHD AND ITS EVOLUTION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is not only a childhood disorder, but a disorder of childhood-onset. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, first described as attention deficit, encompasses a larger spectrum of symptoms that appear not only in children, but also in adults, even in those over 65 years of age. Evaluation of this symptom spectrum is important, as affected adults, especially females, are likely overlooked or misdiagnosed in childhood. They may present later with dire outcomes, such as academic failure, problematic parenting behaviours, workplace problems, risky sexual behaviour leading to miscarriages or sexually transmitted infections, and increased suicide rates due to their vulnerability to depression and anxiety-related symptoms. Structural and biochemical findings were associated with this disorder. Additionally, there are many neuropathological models proposed to explain the nature of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, such as those proposed by Sergeant and Barkley. Although a lot is known about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder so far, there is still a large lack of information about its prognosis and prevalence in vulnerable or minority populations. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of not only the pathophysiology, but the spectrum of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms throughout the lifespan with an emphasis on the childhood-onset nature of this disorder.