title: The Burden of ADHD in Older Adults: A Qualitative Study.
abstract: To explore how ADHD may have affected the lives of older adults who meet the diagnostic criteria of ADHD, but are unaware of their diagnosis. Our second aim was to examine whether the reported symptoms change over the life span.
  
  
  
  A qualitative study was conducted. Seventeen Dutch older people (>65 years) diagnosed in this study with ADHD participated in in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed according to techniques of thematic approach.
  
  
  
  Seven themes emerged from the analyses. Four themes correspond to ADHD symptoms: "being active," "being impulsive," "attention problems," and "mental restlessness." In addition, the themes "low self-esteem," "overstepping boundaries," and "feeling misunderstood" emerged. The impact of ADHD symptoms seems to have declined with age.
  
  
  
  ADHD has a negative impact on late life, and older adults with the disorder may benefit from treatment. Moreover, this study's findings call for early detection and treatment of ADHD in children and adults.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.|2 Expertise Centre Adult ADHD, PsyQ, Psycho-Medical Programs The Hague, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michielsen
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Health Sciences, section methodology and applied biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: J Th C M
authors.initials: JTCM
authors.lastname: de Kruif
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Psychiatry, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Comijs
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van Mierlo
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.|2 Expertise Centre Adult ADHD, PsyQ, Psycho-Medical Programs The Hague, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Semeijn
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Psychiatry, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: A T F
authors.initials: ATF
authors.lastname: Beekman
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.|4 Department of Psychiatry, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: D J H
authors.initials: DJH
authors.lastname: Deeg
authors.affiliation: 2 Expertise Centre Adult ADHD, PsyQ, Psycho-Medical Programs The Hague, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: J J S
authors.initials: JJS
authors.lastname: Kooij
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001288:Attention; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012649:Self Concept; D013850:Thinking
keywords: ADHD; older adults; qualitative study