Cognitive Complaints and Neuropsychological Functioning in Adults With and Without Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Referred for Multidisciplinary Assessment

Abstract

The present study aims to gain insight into the clinical presentation (viz., self-reported complaints and neuropsychological functioning) of adults referred for an attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis. The investigation evaluated group differences between an ADHD and a non-ADHD sample (n = 30 and n = 42, respectively), all of which had been clinically referred for multidisciplinary assessment of ADHD. Forty-two percent of all referred patients were diagnosed with adult ADHD. Adults with ADHD made significantly more errors on a verbal learning task than the non-ADHD control group, which could indicate an impairment of the self-monitoring function in adult ADHD. The ADHD group reported more problems than the control group in the domains of executive functioning but not in the domains of attention and hyperactivity. More attention should be paid to executive complaints and functioning (present and past) when referring adults suspected of ADHD for multidisciplinary assessment. Also, characteristics that are thought to be striking symptoms of adult ADHD, such as problems with concentration and hyperactive behavior, are in fact not distinctive symptoms of ADHD at all.

Key words:

• ADHD
• assessment
• cognition
• diagnosis
• multidisciplinary
• neuropsychology

Notes

Note. Adult and Child Attention Deficit = number of criteria of attention deficit (maximum 9) on the semistructured interview in adulthood and childhood. Adult and Child Hyperactivity/Imp = number of criteria of attention deficit (maximum 9) on the semistructured interview in adulthood and childhood. Sign. = ANOVA.

*p < .05.

Note. GAD = generalized anxiety disorder; IES = intermittent explosive disorder; NOS = not otherwise specified; OCD = obsessive compulsive disorder; PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder.

Note. MCQ = Maastricht Cognitive Questionnaire; MCQ3 = “I am able to concentrate on one activity for a long period of time”; MCQ17 = “As a child my thinking was very chaotic”; MCQ20 = “I find it difficult to sit quiet for a long period of time.” WURS = Wender Utah Rating Scale; WURS24 = “doing without thinking/impulsivity”; WURS27 = “loss of control.” SCL-90 Dep = Depression subscore; SCL-90 Ins = Insufficiency score. Mann-Whitney U-tests were used for MCQ items. WURS was analyzed using ANOVA.

*p < .05.

Note. STR3error = Number of errors on Stroop Card 3; STRINT = Stroop interference score; VLT = Verbal Learning Test total number of words for five trials; VLT error = Verbal Learning Test total number of errors for five trials.

*p < .05.