Do I Have ADHD? Diagnosis of ADHD in Adulthood and Its Mimics in the Neurology Clinic.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that causes difficulties with sustained attention, executive functioning, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and/or emotional regulation. Although many people are diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, others seek diagnosis in adulthood. Many adults have already reviewed available clinical scales or screening tools for ADHD and are referred for evaluation of attention problems by their primary care providers. Key features of the history and examination in a clinic visit can differentiate ADHD from other causes of attention problems in adults. Treatment with stimulant or nonstimulant medications for ADHD can be life-changing for adults with ADHD, increasing productivity at home and work, reducing anxiety and impulsive behaviors, and improving interpersonal and community relationships. This article aids neurologists in differentiating ADHD from other causes of attention and executive functioning problems in adults and in initiating treatment.