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Übersichtsartikel

Neuropsychologische Befunde zur ADHS im Erwachsenenalter

Published Online:November 27, 2012https://doi.org/10.1024/1016-264X/a000076

Abstract

Die ADHS ist eine chronische Erkrankung mit Beginn in der Kindheit, die sich über das Jugendalter bis ins Erwachsenenleben fortsetzen kann. Zur Sicherstellung der Diagnose ist kein Test verfügbar. Die Diagnose einer ADHS ist eine klinische Beurteilung. Zur Kernsymptomatik gehören Aufmerksamkeitsstörung, Hyperaktivität und Impulsivität. Die Symptomatik darf nicht isoliert auftreten, sondern muss in mehreren Lebenssituationen nachweisbar sein und mit Einschränkungen im Lebensalltag einhergehen. Dabei bildet sich in der klinischen Praxis, nicht zuletzt bei den Patienten, das Bedürfnis ab, mittels Testverfahren bzw. kognitiven Leistungstests wahrgenommene Leistungsdefizite zu objektivieren und zu quantifizieren.

Es wird ein Überblick über neuropsychologische Modellannahmen zur ADHS sowie über die häufigsten neuropsychologische Testverfahren gegeben und der aktuelle Stand der Forschung hinsichtlich seiner praktischen Relevanz diskutiert.


Neuropsychological Findings in Adult ADHD

ADHD is a chronic disorder with a life-long perspective, which starts in childhood and continues during adolescence. A neuropsychological or neurobiological test for adult ADHD is not available. The diagnosis of adult ADHD is a clinical assessment. The core symptoms are attention disorder, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Besides this classical triad many patients display emotional symptoms and disorganization.

ADHD symptoms include their persistence in different life situations. The symptoms may not occur in isolation. Moreover functional impairments in everyday life must be taken into consideration. In clinical practice there is a need to objectify and to quantify the reported cognitive impairment in particular for the patients.

In this paper an overview of neuropsychological models and neuropsychological tests will be given. Studies will be analyzed in relation to their implication for clinical practice.

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