[Functioning, comorbidity and treatment of 141 adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at a psychiatric outpatient department].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the functioning, comorbidity and treatment of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).


METHODS
Retrospective.


METHODS
In the period 1 May 1995 to 31 January 1998, 141 patients aged 18-54 were diagnosed with ADHD at the Delfland Psychiatric Outpatients' Department, Delft, the Netherlands. For all of these patients, data concerning the functioning, comorbidity, and the response to treatment with clonidine (n = 34) or methylphenidate (n = 99), were collected from anamneses, hetero-anamneses and school reports.


RESULTS
The most frequent complaints were: mood-swings, rage-outbursts, sensation-seeking behaviour, sleeping disorders, anxiety and depressive symptoms. In 94% (n = 123) of the cases, childhood onset of ADHD symptoms was confirmed by a family member. The distribution of ADHD subtypes was comparable to the distribution in children. Psychiatric comorbidity was common. Treatment with methylphenidate was more effective and better tolerated than treatment with clonidine.


CONCLUSIONS
With respect to ADHD subtypes, patterns of comorbidity and effectiveness of medication, ADHD in the adults studied was comparable with what is known about ADHD in children.
Kooij
J J
JJ
GGZ Delfland, polikliniek Psychiatrie, Reinier de Graafweg 3-11, 2625 AD Delft.
Aeckerlin
L P
LP
Buitelaar
J K
JK
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003000:Clonidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate; D003000:Clonidine
Functioneren, comorbiditeit en behandeling van 141 volwassenen met aandachtstekort-hyperactiviteitstoornis (ADHD) op een algemene polikliniek Psychiatrie.