When most people think of ADHD, they think of fidgety children, but the diagnosis means much more and can accompany those affected for the rest of their lives. A team of researchers at the University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, part of the University of Oldenburg's medical campus, wants to find out how ADHD patients can be helped in adulthood. They are currently looking for test subjects.
The project is based at the Karl Jaspers Clinic and is called ESCAlate. It is being carried out together with six other research teams from other universities and is part of the ESCAlife study (Evidence-based, Stepped Care of ADHD along the life-span), which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The aim is to individualise and thus optimise treatment for ADHD patients.
ADHD stands for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It is one of the most common mental illnesses in children and adolescents. Around five per cent of the young population are affected. For a long time, ADHD was thought to be a disease that only occurs in children and "grows out" over time. In recent years, however, several studies have shown that adults can also have ADHD - albeit often in a modified form. ADHD in adulthood can be characterised by various symptoms: In addition to the core symptoms of physical restlessness, impulsivity and reduced ability to pay attention and concentrate, ADHD in adulthood can also manifest itself through disorganised behaviour, mood swings and increased irritability.
For the "ESCAlate" project, the scientists are looking for test subjects between the ages of 16 and 35 who are suspected or already diagnosed with ADHD. After the participants have undergone a preliminary examination, they will learn more about ADHD and how to deal with it better by means of discussions, brochures and work assignments. Further steps may include psychological counselling, participation in attention training or medication. The test subjects regularly complete questionnaires in order to evaluate the success of individual treatment approaches. The study is scheduled to run for nine to twelve months.