Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Life-Long Trajectory. A review
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the second most common group of mental and behavioral disorders in pediatric population worldwide, second only to conduct disorders (CD). Traditionally, it belonged to the group of mental disorders of the childhood, but in recent decades it has been understood that ADHD often continues into adulthood, significantly affecting the life and well-being of such patients. The latest diagnostic and statistical classifications already reflect this phenomenon, positioning ADHD under the heading of neurodevelopmental disorders, oftentimes continuing into adulthood. This review summarizes the accumulated information gathered from extensive life course studies of ADHD on epidemiology, comorbidity profiles, perspectives for both drug and non-drug treatments and treatment withdrawal at different stages of life, as well as the role of genetic, environmental, and epigenetic factors in the development and maintenance of ADHD throughout the patient’s life-span. The purpose of this review is to form the reader’s view of ADHD as a chronic lifelong condition and to understand its features in adults.