"Feeling Down Lately? Most Adults with ADHD Also Have Mental Disorders"

Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, Analysis of 17,000 Patients
"Adult ADHD Patients Have 11.6 Times Higher Risk of Depression"

Adult patients with ADHD are more likely to have comorbid mental disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder (a condition characterized by alternating episodes of abnormal excitement called 'mania' and depressive states).

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According to a study published on the 31st by the research team of Professors Park Won-myeong and Woo Young-seop from the Department of Psychiatry at Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, an investigation was conducted on 17,799 adults aged 19 and older who visited six domestic health screening institutions nationwide (Korea Medical Institute) to examine the prevalence of adult ADHD and comorbid conditions. The results showed that depression was 11.6 times more frequent and bipolar disorder was 3.2 times more frequent among adults with ADHD.

The research team conducted the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) test (a self-diagnostic test), revealing that 2.4% of adults in Korea were identified as having ADHD. In particular, the prevalence was significantly higher among those in their 20s and those in the lower 50% income bracket.

The prevalence of ADHD by age group was recorded as ▲20s (7.7%) ▲30s (3.1%) ▲40s (1.3%) ▲50s (1.0%) ▲60 and older (1.1%).

Professor Woo stated, "Most ADHD cases begin in childhood and persist into adulthood for many individuals. Without appropriate treatment, cognitive functions cannot be properly utilized, leading to many frustrations in academics, work, and interpersonal relationships, and various mental health problems may accompany."

Professor Park said, "This study is significant in highlighting the importance of treating other mental disorders commonly comorbid with adult ADHD patients and in emphasizing that conditions such as depression may be closely related to adult ADHD at the time of initial diagnosis."

The main symptoms of adult ADHD are hyperactivity, impulsivity, and attention deficit. Additionally, difficulties in emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships, as well as declines in learning and performance abilities, may appear. The prevalence of ADHD is generally reported as 5% in children and 2.5% in adults.

Most childhood ADHD cases continue into adulthood, but adult ADHD more frequently involves attention deficit rather than hyperactivity. According to a recent announcement by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of adult patients receiving treatment for ADHD symptoms in 2022 increased about fivefold compared to 2018, indicating a rapid rise in diagnosis and treatment in Korea.

Diagnosing adult ADHD is not easy because noticeable impulsivity is less common, and adults who had ADHD in childhood but did not receive proper diagnosis must rely on family memories and recollections.

However, as society has developed, it has become easier for individuals to self-assess ADHD, leading to more people visiting hospitals.

The results of this study are scheduled to be published in the November 2023 issue of the international academic journal Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.