Research examines “late-onset” ADHD symptoms in young adulthood

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is currently considered a childhood-onset condition with a diagnosis requiring symptoms to have been before the age of twelve. However, research suggests ADHD symptoms may first emerge during adolescence or adult life for some.

Researchers from the Wolfson Centre have undertaken work to understand whether ADHD that first presents after childhood, often called “late-onset” ADHD, is similar to childhood-onset ADHD or represents a different type of condition, such as depression, which also usually first presents in adolescence or adult life.

The study, led by Dr Lucy Riglin and Professor Anita Thapar, used a large sample of young people from the general population who have been followed up in a research study since before they were born: the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

Dr Riglin said: “We examined whether late-onset ADHD was associated with measures that are known to be associated with ADHD and those that indicate depression. We also tested whether more childhood resources, such as verbal ability, reading ability, family income, and maternal education, delayed the presentation of ADHD symptoms.”

The researchers found that late-onset ADHD showed similar characteristics as childhood-onset ADHD when parents reported on their offspring’s (age 25) ADHD, although self-rated late-onset ADHD did not. Late-onset ADHD was also associated with higher levels of childhood resources and did not show similar features as depression.

Dr Riglin added: “Our findings suggest that late-onset ADHD shares similarities with childhood-onset ADHD when parent-rated; this and other findings suggest that parent reports may be helpful in assessing ADHD even in young adults.

“Our study also suggests that increasing childhood resources may delay ADHD onset, but those symptoms may later emerge as social and educational demands increase (e.g. school exams, transitioning out of school, romantic partnerships) and family resources become less influential.

The paper, “Late-onset” ADHD symptoms in young adulthood: Is this ADHD?, is published in SAGE Journals and available to view online.