title: Daily life impairments associated with childhood/adolescent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as recalled by adults: results from the European Lifetime Impairment Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Lifetime Impairment Survey, conducted in Europe, assessed impairment and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood, and experiences of ADHD diagnosis and treatment, as recalled by adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults with ADHD and without ADHD (control group) were invited to participate in an internet-based survey and report on their childhood experiences. History of ADHD diagnosis was self-reported. Groups were compared using impairment and symptom scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 588 adults with ADHD and 736 without ADHD participated. Mean (standard deviation [SD]) age at diagnosis of ADHD was 20.0 (12.6) years (median 18.0) following consultation with 3.8 (5.1) doctors (median 2) over 44.6 (69.3) months (median 17.0). A total of 64.1% (377/588) of adults with ADHD reported frustration or difficulties during the diagnostic process. The ADHD group had a higher mean (SD) score versus control for general (3.3 [1.2] vs 2.1 [1.2]; p < 0.001) and school impairment (2.8 [0.7] vs 2.3 [0.6]; p < 0.001) but not home impairment (2.1 [0.5] for both groups). Discussion The survey demonstrated that ADHD had a negative impact on all aspects of childhood investigated, as recalled by adults.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data provide insights into childhood impairments and identify areas for improvement in the management and treatment of ADHD.
authors.affiliation: 1Pediatric Department,Hôpitaux Pédiatriques de Nice CHU Lenval,Nice,France.
authors.forename: Herve
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Caci
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry,Institute of Psychiatry,King's College London,UK.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Asherson
authors.affiliation: 3Child Neuropsychiatry Department,Sandro Pertini Hospital,Rome,Italy.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Donfrancesco
authors.affiliation: 4Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neuroscience and Physiology,SUNY Upstate Medical University,Syracuse,New York,USA.
authors.forename: Stephen V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Faraone
authors.affiliation: 5Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit,Hospital Universitario Mútua de Terrassa,Barcelona,Spain.
authors.forename: Amaia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hervas
authors.affiliation: 6Department of Psychiatry,Trinity College,Dublin,Ireland.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.affiliation: 7Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,University of Cologne,Cologne,Germany.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Döpfner
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: treatment