The clinical relevance of asking young psychiatric patients about childhood ADHD symptoms.

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The clinical relevance of asking young psychiatric patients about childhood ADHD symptoms.

Nord J Psychiatry. 2020 Jan;74(1):23-29

Authors: Richter M, Spangenberg H, Ramklint M, Ramirez A

Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the relevance of asking young psychiatric patients about childhood symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Method: A total of 180 young adults (18-25 years of age) from a general psychiatric out-patient clinic in Uppsala filled in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Screening Inventory-Retrospect (CAPSI-R) as part of the diagnostic procedure. The study population was divided into groups based on number and subtype of reported ADHD symptoms, inattention (IN) or hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI). The clinical characteristics associated with different symptoms of ADHD were explored.Results: The groups with five or more self-reported ADHD childhood symptoms, of either IN or HI, had more psychiatric comorbid conditions, a significantly higher co-occurrence of substance use disorders and personality disorders, and experienced more psychosocial and environmental problems.Conclusion: High level of self-reported ADHD childhood symptoms in young psychiatric patients identified a group more burdened with psychiatric comorbid conditions and more psychosocial problems. This group should be offered a thorough diagnostic assessment of ADHD.

PMID: 31556784 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

via https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31556784?dopt=Abstract