Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a valid mental health diagnosis with the potential to improve the lives of the 5.9% of youth and 2.8% of adults worldwide who live with ADHD and its complications, advises an international consensus statement from the World Federation of ADHD. The paper, which spans 208 evidence-based conclusions about ADHD, was approved by 80 authors from 27 countries, endorsed by another 366 people, and published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.

“Stigmatizing attitudes toward ADHD are common and may play a role in socially and clinically important outcomes,” the authors wrote. “These negative attitudes affect patients at all stages of their life. Such attitudes have been documented among individuals at all ages and in all groups, including family, peers, teachers, clinicians, and even individuals with ADHD themselves.”

The paper is an update of the first international consensus statement published nearly 2 decades ago. By cataloging important scientific discoveries from the last 20 years, the authors aimed to provide a source of current information supported by substantial evidence.

Misconceptions, Treatment of Adult ADHD

Topics covered include the history of ADHD (the first textbook description of an ADHD-like disorder was published by a German physician in 1775), genetic and environmental risk factors for ADHD, co-occurring nonpsychiatric medical issues, the effect of ADHD on patients and families, the economic impact of the disorder, and treatments.

For instance, the paper states, ADHD elevates the risk for school failure, antisocial behavior, substance use disorder, accidental injuries, and suicide attempts, among other adverse outcomes. Consequently, the economic burden to society runs hundreds of billions of dollars annually.

“Although we have good treatments for ADHD, even the best treatments are only partially effective,” the authors wrote. “The future of treatment for ADHD will include new medications currently in development and a stronger evidence base for novel non-medication treatments for treating ADHD symptoms or associated impairments, such as trigeminal nerve stimulation and game-based treatments.”

Reference

Faraone SV, Banaschewski T, Coghill D, et al. The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 evidence-based conclusions about the disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021;128:789-818. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.022