title: Distinguishing symptoms of ADHD from other psychiatric disorders in the adult primary care setting.
abstract: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is frequently misdiagnosed or undiagnosed in adults. Owing to the relatively recent recognition of adult ADHD as a valid mental disorder and its overlapping symptomatology with other conditions, primary care physicians often fail to screen for ADHD in patients who present with inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. A substantial proportion of adults with ADHD also have psychiatric comorbidities. Physicians need to recognize the ways in which ADHD symptoms are expressed in adults and distinguish them from symptoms of other disorders, including mood, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders.
authors.affiliation: Connecticut Clinical Research Center, Cromwell, CT 06416, USA. DocMontano@aol.com
authors.forename: C Brendan
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Montano
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weisler
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis