It is now widely recognised that ADHD is a condition that not only effect’s children but often continues to effect individuals throughout adulthood. In fact, evidence shows that 70% of individuals diagnosed during childhood will continue to show symptoms as an adult.
The current Diagnostic Statically Manual (DSM), diagnostic criteria is primarily constructed for a child population and does not reflect the growing understanding and acceptance of adult ADHD. The next edition of the DSM is planned to be published in 2013. Diagnosis of ADHD will be altered in the following ways; the age of onset will be raised from seven years of age to twelve years of age, whereby symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsiveness must be noticeable by this time. Furthermore, the current DSM states that at least six symptoms must be met, where as it is proposed that this will be reduced to four symptoms for individuals aged seventeen or over. Therefore adults will need to have fewer symptoms for a diagnosis of ADHD and this consequently reflects that ADHD is understood to be a child but also an adult condition.
As a result of this, our ADHD adult clinic is a very important and vital aspect to our Centre. Dr Perecherla, Adult Psychiatrist, has recently joined the Centre to ensure that we can continue to provide care for our patients as they make the transition from childhood to adult services.
