Over 60% of children with ADHD will continue to have symptoms as adults, making it one of the most commonly encountered mental health problems seen in primary care but also one that is frequently overlooked. This workshop reviews the prevalence of Adult ADHD in primary care and the different ways it can affect an individual’s life. It uses case examples to describe ways it can present and how to recognize when it may be a comorbid condition, often accompanying a mood or anxiety disorder and increasingly Autism Spectrum Disorder. It reviews the specific criteria required to make a diagnosis of ADD with or without hyperactivity, screening tools to detect its presence, and a framework for its assessment. It presents an overview of treatment approaches, including the importance of psychoeducation and support, providing structure and routine, family involvement, cognitive approaches, and the use of medication. It outlines the different medication options and reviews guidelines for their initiation, monitoring and discontinuation, and the indications for each, and provides links to reading materials and resources that can be provided to patients.
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