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Estimating the prevalence of adult ADHD in the psychiatric clinic: a cross-sectional study using the adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Hussain Syed ,
Tawfik M Masaud ,
Nmandi Nkire ,
Chinedu Iro  and
Malcolm R Garland
Hussain Syed
Affiliation:
St Ita's Psychiatric Hospital, Portrane, Co Dublin, Ireland
Tawfik M Masaud
Affiliation:
St Ita's Psychiatric Hospital, Portrane, Co Dublin, Ireland
Nmandi Nkire
Affiliation:
St Ita's Psychiatric Hospital, Portrane, Co Dublin, Ireland
Chinedu Iro
Affiliation:
St Ita's Psychiatric Hospital, Portrane, Co Dublin, Ireland
Malcolm R Garland
Affiliation:
St Ita's Psychiatric Hospital, Portrane, Co Dublin, Ireland
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Abstract

Objectives: We sought to determine the point prevalence of adult attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in an out-patient psychiatric population.

Methods: Patients (n=243) attending five different outpatient clinics in a largely urban adult psychiatric service completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, a recently developed instrument by the World Health Organisation. Clinical and demographic data were recorded.

Results: There was a high apparent rate of adult ADHD detected (23.9%). Such patients were significantly more likely to have lower educational attainment, ADHD as children, a forensic history and the diagnosis of personality disorder as well as a higher rate of benzodiazepine use. They were no more likely to be dissatisfied with the service, nor to be heavier users of the service.

Conclusions: We report a high apparent rate of adult ADHD. Correlates of this high rate indicate individuals with less positive lifestyles than other patients. Screening for this disorder appears warranted, particularly in the light of the emergence of new non-amphetamine-based therapies.

Keywords

Adult Attention Deficit DisorderEpidemiologyScreeningPrevalenceAdult Self-Report Scale Screener
Type
Brief Report
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 27 , Issue 4 , December 2010 , pp. 195 - 197
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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