The course of ADHD varies. Symptoms have been shown to persist into adolescence in 60 to 85 percent of cases, and into adult life in about 60 percent of cases. The remaining 40 percent of cases may remit at puberty or early. In some cases, the hyperactivity may disappear, but the decreased attention span and impulse-control problems persist. Most individuals with the disorder undergo partial remission and are vulnerable to antisocial behavior, substance use disorders, and mood disorders. Learning problems often continue throughout life.
Most children with ADHD have some social difficulties. Socially dysfunctional children with ADHD/ADD have significantly higher rates of other psychiatric disorders and have more problems with behavior in school as well as with family members and peers. Overall, the outcome of ADHD/ADD in childhood seems to be related to the degree of other mental health issues, including conduct disorder, social disability, and chaotic family factors.
Mental Health Library Sources:
Information included in all topics of the Mental Health Library comes from the Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria From DSM-5 and Kaplan & Sadock’s Concise Textbook of Clinical Psychiatry. Complete diagnostic and treatment information may be found within these publications.
Disclaimer:
Information within the Mental Health Library is not intended to be used for self-diagnosis purposes. Rather, it is provided as a public educational service to make people aware of mental health conditions. Please consult a qualified mental health professional for a diagnosis of any suspected mental health illness.
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