MHM Magazine

14 | MENTALHEALTHMATTERS | Issue 2 | 2021 MHM ADULT ADHD: A SPECIAL FOCUS ON COMORBIDITY The prevalence of ADHD in childhood is about 5% and about 3% in adulthood. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder and because the brain is still developing up to about age 25, around 40% of children ‘outgrow’ their ADHD symptoms. In addition, if ADHD is correctly treated in childhood, children are taught vital skills to help overcome their symptoms and not suffer functional impairment. It’s important to remember that in adult ADHD, a comorbid condition can often be the presenting problem. This may look like a patient who presents with depression that doesn’t respond well to medication, a patient with Generalised Anxiety Disorder or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder that doesn’t respond well to treatment either therapeutic or psychopharmacological. Underlying untreated ADHD increases a patient’s risk of comorbidities. Most adults with ADHD have complicating and clinically significant Presented by Professor Renata Schoeman Psychiatrist and Co-Founder of Goldilocks and the Bear Foundation