This paper is not a trial. It is a consensus statement written by a panel of 40 professionals from 18 European countries, called the European Network Adult ADHD. The panel met three times between 2003 and 2009. It drew on reviews and randomized controlled trials in adults, plus clinical experience. It studied no patients of its own. Its subject is adults with ADHD.
The panel concluded that ADHD usually continues into adulthood as a lifelong, impairing condition. Citing earlier research, it reported that around two-thirds of children with ADHD still have impairing symptoms as adults. It also cited work finding that most adult patients have at least one other condition (75%). The panel found that adult ADHD is underdiagnosed and undertreated in many European countries. It noted that adult screening tools and effective treatments exist.
The panel favored combining several approaches: education about ADHD, medication, coaching and/or cognitive behavioral therapy. Stimulants were its first choice of medication, and atomoxetine its second.
There are limits. This is expert opinion, with a briefly described search method. The authors said the evidence was too thin to recommend routine use of psychological treatments, since few controlled trials of CBT exist in adults. Many co-authors reported ties to drug companies.
The authors suggest that clinicians base an adult diagnosis on a full lifetime history, with input from people who know the person where possible. Anyone with questions about their own situation should talk to a clinician.
Source: J. J. Sandra Kooij, Susanne Bejerot, Andrew D. Blackwell, et al.. European consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD: The European Network Adult ADHD. BMC Psychiatry (2010). doi:10.1186/1471-244x-10-67