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The estimated prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in a German community sample

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Abstract

Little research on the prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD has been conducted outside the United States. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in a large representative sample of the German population aged 18–64 years (n = 1,655). Two self-rating screening instruments to assess childhood and adult ADHD symptomatology were used to estimate the prevalence of ADHD. A 4-item screening tool was used to assess probable cases of current depression and anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire). The estimated crude prevalence rate of current ADHD was 4.7%. Adult ADHD was significantly associated with lower age, low educational level, unemployment, marital status (never married and divorced), and rural residency. No association was found with gender. Adult ADHD was strongly associated with positive screening results for depression and anxiety. ADHD is a common disorder of adulthood, is associated with significant social impairment and psychiatric co-morbidity, and should receive further research attention.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported in part by a grant from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF, 01GV0606, Comparison of Methylphenidate and Psychotherapy in Adult ADHD Study, COMPAS).

Conflict of interest

A. Philipsen: Advisory Board Member: Lilly, Janssen-Cilag, Shire.

Research Support: Federal Ministry of Research and Education, DFG, Janssen-Cilag, Medice.

Other (travel grants,..): Lilly, Janssen-Cilag, Novartis, Medice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany

    Martina de Zwaan, Barbara Gruß, Astrid Müller, Holmer Graap & Alexandra Martin

  2. Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

    Heide Glaesmer

  3. Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland

    Anja Hilbert

  4. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg University Medical Center, Hauptstrasse 5, 79104, Freiburg, Germany

    Alexandra Philipsen

Authors
  1. Martina de Zwaan
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  2. Barbara Gruß
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  3. Astrid Müller
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  4. Holmer Graap
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  5. Alexandra Martin
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  6. Heide Glaesmer
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  7. Anja Hilbert
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  8. Alexandra Philipsen
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Correspondence to Alexandra Philipsen.

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de Zwaan, M., Gruß, B., Müller, A. et al. The estimated prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in a German community sample. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 262, 79–86 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-011-0211-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-011-0211-9

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