ADHD in older adults: A closer look

Diagnosis and workup

The key aspects of diagnosing ADHD are the interview based on DSM-5 criteria, exclusion of other diagnoses, and collateral information. Research has shown that clinical interviews and longitudinal family histories provide critical information that can differentiate ADHD from other psychiatric conditions.³⁵ DSM-5 criteria are adjusted for adults: 5 out of 9 criteria for inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity must be fulfilled, as opposed to 6 out of 9 in children age <17.^21,31,36 However, no criteria are specific for older adults.³⁷ Since the differential diagnosis involves multiple entities, it is important to follow DSM-5 criteria for ADHD, which include eliminating other conditions that can explain these symptoms.¹⁵ Additionally, in DSM-5, the age-of-onset threshold for ADHD diagnosis was increased from 7 and younger to 12 and younger, addressing criticism that the previous cutoff was too restrictive.^24,31 The age of onset of childhood symptoms can be challenging to verify in older adults. Older patients can have unreliable memories and their childhood records are not always available.^2,20 In this population, childhood symptoms are mainly underreported but sometimes overreported.^10,38 However, to establish a diagnosis, the patient should have experienced some symptoms of the disorder within their first 50 years of life, including having impaired functionality in multiple settings.^15,26 The goal is to establish the chronicity of this condition to distinguish it from other psychiatric conditions.²² Overall, using DSM-5 criteria without any modifications may lead to underdiagnosis of ADHD in adults.²³ At this time, however, DSM-5 remains the main criteria used to make a diagnosis.

While tools to assist in screening and diagnosing ADHD have been validated in adults, none have been validated specifically for older adults.²² Structured diagnostic interviews to diagnose ADHD include³⁹:

• Adult ADHD Clinical Diagnostic Scale version 1.2
• ADHD Lifespan Functioning interview
• Conners’ Adult ADHD Diagnostic interview for DSM-IV
• Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults version 2.0
• Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5.

ADHD symptom measures that can be used for screening and to look at treatment response include³⁹:

• ADHD Rating Scale 5
• Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Symptom Checklist
• Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale IV
• Barkley Quick-Check for Adult ADHD Diagnosis
• Young ADHD Questionnaire
• RATE Scales.

Adult ADHD inventories consider problems that adults with ADHD face. These include³⁹:

• Brown Attention Deficit Disorders Scales—Adult version
• Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales
• Wender-Reimherr Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Scale.

Since these scales were not designed for older adults, they may miss nuances in this population.⁴⁰

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