Addressing the Treatment and Service Needs of Young Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a complex period in which multiple changes take place (education, work, independent living, and social relations). This stage is especially difficult for adolescents suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), who have to move on from child and adolescent mental health services to adult mental health services. This review analyzes developmental and environmental risk and protective factors as well as critical variables such as executive functioning and self-monitoring that influence the course of ADHD in transitional age youth and guide the priorities for an optimal transition of care. The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic is also discussed. We reflect on the unmet needs for an optimal transition of care and propose practice and policy recommendations to achieve this goal.

Keywords: ADHD; Atomoxetine; Guanfacine; Lisdexamfetamine; Methylphenidate; Nonstimulants; Stimulants; Transition of care.