THE IMPACT OF ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER IN ADULT LIFE (ADHD): AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

The present study synthesizes outcomes from reviewing five studies available in the Virtual Health Library and SciElo related to the impact of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on adulthood. The main goal of this study was to assess how ADHD affects people in adulthood. The analysis was organized into four categories: i) functional, social, and cognitive life; ii) quality of life; iii) diagnosis and treatment; and iv) association with chemical substances. The findings suggest that ADHD can impair academic and professional performance, compromise interpersonal relationships, and job stability. Additionally, this disorder can contribute to symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as negatively affecting self-esteem and health-related quality of life. The analyses also revealed that obtaining a diagnosis can provide relief from ADHD symptoms and a better understanding of treatment; however, in some cases, recognizing the disorder can also cause discomfort. Regarding substance use, the deficit in the mechanisms underlying reward motivation associated with ADHD can lead to increased psychoactive substance use, such as cocaine, resulting in drug addiction, health problems, and criminal charges. In conclusion, a lack of studies on ADHD in adulthood was observed, suggesting more research on the topic is needed.