Current practices in the management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that was thought to affect only children but had been discovered to persist into adulthood. Advancements in technology and methodology have contributed to the increased research work on ADHD. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, has relatively added some changes to the diagnostic criteria of ADHD, to further accommodate diagnosis in adults. Several medications have also been studied to know how efficacious they are in treating ADHD. Recently, the FDA approved a non-invasive device for the treatment of ADHD. This review is aimed at highlighting the changes in diagnostic criteria with emphasis on the aetiology, treatment and recommended guideline for use by primary care physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD.