Impairments, diagnosis and treatments associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in UK adults: results from the lifetime impairment survey.

The Lifetime Impairment Survey assessed how ADHD impairs everyday life, identifying areas most affected.This opinion-based survey evaluated experiences, diagnosis and treatment of lifetime impairment in adults with (n=89) and without (n=94) ADHD. Groups were compared using impairment and symptoms scales; higher scores indicate greater impairment.Mean (standard deviation) age at diagnosis was 18.2 (11.5) years; 47.1% were taking prescription medication for ADHD. Adults with ADHD reported greater impairments than those without for all scales (p<0.001) except the involvement scale.Greater impairments in adults with than without ADHD suggest a continued impact throughout their daily lives.