Vol. 10, No. 3, 2004 Page 3
National survey reveals heavy burden of adult ADHD
The idea that children with attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder "outgrow" their problems is false, according to a recent
survey.
The results of a national survey, conducted by the Roper
polling firm and reported at the annual meeting of the American
Psychiatric Association, show that:
- Adults with ADHD are more likely than adults without ADHD
to engage in antisocial or harmful behaviors. Over 60 percent
are smokers, and 52 percent have used recreational drugs.
Adults with ADHD are twice as likely as other people to have
been arrested, with 37 percent of the ADHD individuals who
participated in the survey reporting that they had at least one
prior arrest.
- Adults with ADHD are more likely than other people to have
a poor self image, with only half (compared to 76 percent of
non-ADHD adults) saying that they like being themselves and
accept themselves for who they are.
- Adults with ADHD are three times more likely to suffer from
depression or stress than non-ADHD adults. About one in four
of the ADHD group surveyed said their poor mental or physical
health prevented them from fully participating in normal
activities for approximately one-third of the days in each month,
compared to only 9 percent of non-ADHD respondents.
- Adults with ADHD were twice as likely to be divorced or
separated as non-ADHD adults.
- Adults with ADHD are less likely to be high school or
college graduates, with 17 percent (compared to 7 percent of
controls) reporting that they had not finished high school.
- Only 52 percent of ADHD respondents were currently
employed, compared to 72 percent of non-ADHD respondents.
"The importance of diagnosing and helping adults with ADHD
has often been debated by individuals, health care
professionals and by society in general," says Harvard
Professor of Psychiatry Joseph Biederman. "The compelling
results of this survey reinforce the fact that ADHD is a serious
medical condition causing significant, life-long impairments.
ADHD can no longer be dismissed as a 'fake' or 'made-up'
disorder."
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"Survey of adults reveals life-long consequences of ADHD,"
news release, Porter Novelli, May 6, 2004.