The Revised Korean Practice Parameter for the Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (I): Clinical Presentation and Comorbidity

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common psychiatric disorder that can affect individuals across their lifespan. It is characterized by the core symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. ADHD develops as a result of the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Children and adults with ADHD usually suffer concomitantly from other psychiatric comorbidities, including both externalizing and internalizing disorders. It is associated with functional impairment and poor long-term outcomes. This review aims to summarize the key findings from recent research into ADHD and its prevalence, core symptoms, cause and comorbidities from childhood to adulthood.

The Revised Korean Practice Parameter for the Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (II): Diagnosis and Assessment

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent, impairing, and comorbid disorder that persists into adulthood. ADHD should be diagnosed in the same manner as other common adult mental health disorders. The three most important components in the comprehensive evaluation of patients with ADHD are the clinical interview, medical examination, and completion and scoring of behavior rating scales. The diagnostic evaluation of ADHD should include questions about the symptoms, family history, prior evaluation and treatment of ADHD, as well as other problems including alcohol and drug use. Screening interviews or rating scales, as well as interviews, should be used. When it is feasible, clinicians may wish to supplement these components of the evaluation with the objective assessments of the ADHD symptoms, such as through psychological tests. These tests are not essential to reaching a diagnosis, however, or to treatment planning, but may yield further information about the presence and severity of cognitive impairments that could be associated with some cases of ADHD. As comorbidity is the rule rather than the exception, clinicians should carefully screen for comorbid disorders as part of a comprehensive assessment of ADHD. To receive a diagnosis of ADHD, the person must be experiencing significant distress or impairment in his or her daily functioning, and must not meet the criteria for other mental disorders which might better account for the observed symptoms, such as mental retardation, autism or other pervasive developmental disorders, mood disorders and anxiety disorders. This report aims to suggest practice guidelines for the assessment and diagnosis of children, adolescents and adults with ADHD in Korea.

The Revised Korean Practice Parameter for the Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (IV): Non-Pharmacologic Treatment

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder that begins in early childhood and can persist throughout adulthood. ADHD causes difficulties in various area of life, such as academic achievement, peer relationships, family functioning, employment and marriage. Although ADHD is known to respond well to medication, such treatment is more effective when combined with psychosocial (non-pharmacologic) therapy in terms of alleviating the core symptoms and improving appropriate functions. Psychosocial treatment interventions are divided into psychoeducation, behavioral parent training, school intervention, cognitive behavior therapy, social skill training, parent-child interaction therapy, play therapy, other treatments (coaching, complementary and alternative medicine), neurofeedback and Cogmed. Adult ADHD cognitive behavioral therapy is described separately. These practice parameters summarize the evidence for psychosocial treatment. Based on this evidence, specific recommendations are provided for psychosocial interventions.