Adult ADHD: Advances in Understanding and Treatment

[Psychopharmacology Update 13(1):1, 4-5, 2002]

The spotlight is focusing on adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) now for many reasons, according to Michael A. Schwartz, M.D., professor of psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University and a clinician in private practice. The data on ADHD is rapidly advancing, new diagnostic tools are emerging, and the appreciation is growing that ADHD persists into adult life from childhood in a changed and somewhat ameliorated, but still very disabling form.

In addition, as children are successfully treated, parents and other relatives are recognizing that this is something they've had all their lives, but for which they were never treated. Speaking at the 14th Annual U.S. Psychiatric and Mental Health Congress held in Boston in November, Schwartz added that another very good reason for the interest is that ADHD is codable in the DSM-IV-TR, enabling health-care providers to be paid by insurance. This was not true for DSMIII and DSM-III-R.

"When you have a condition that isn't codable and isn't even on the list, it's very hard to treat it," said Schwartz.

http://psychiatry.medscape.com/Manisses/PU/2002/v13.n01/pu1301.01/pu1301.01.html