What this means
This review describes ADHD in adults, including other conditions that often happen with it. It explains how doctors check for ADHD and how it is often treated.
Plain-English summary written by an AI model from the abstract. The original is below.
- Who it was tested in
- A review of earlier studies and clinical knowledge; no number of people given
- Kind of research
- A summary of earlier studies
The science
- Original title
- Adult Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder.
- Authors
- Buitelaar JK, Newcorn JH
- Journal
- The New England journal of medicine
- Published
- Oct 14, 2026
- Study type
- Review · in humans
- PMID
- 42874105 ↗
Abstract
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a medical condition that is present in approximately 2.5% of adults worldwide and manifests in a variety of different ways across the lifespan. Adults with ADHD often have coexisting psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, mood, sleep, substance use, and personality disorders and are at increased risk for coexisting somatic conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and immune and inflammatory conditions. Hence, such adults may be seen by clinicians providing care for a wide range of psychiatric and somatic conditions. Nevertheless, ADHD remains unrecognized and undiagnosed in many persons. Assessment requires interviewing of the patient for core ADHD symptoms, coexisting conditions, and their functional effects, which can be facilitated by using standardized rating scales. Key components of treatment are psychoeducation and psychostimulant or nonstimulant medication, mostly in combination with psychosocial interventions and lifestyle guidance.
Buitelaar JK, Newcorn JH Adult Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder. The New England journal of medicine. 2026. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp2516040. PMID: 42874105. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42874105/