B - 60 Age of ADHD Diagnosis as a Predictor of Psychiatric Symptom Reporting

Abstract Objective Childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis and intervention is thought to mitigate symptom severity and to improve outcomes. Existing literature suggests those who receive later ADHD diagnoses may attribute ADHD symptomatology to personal shortcomings, contributing to a negative self-perception and higher incidence of psychopathology. We evaluated differences in psychological functioning between adults diagnosed with ADHD in childhood (< 12) versus those first diagnosed in adolescence or adulthood. Method Cross-sectional data from 609 patients (Mage = 28.13; Meducation = 15.69; 61.4% Female/38.6% Male; 39.9% White, 27.3% Hispanic, 16.7% Black, 10.3% Asian, 5.7% Other) undergoing neuropsychological evaluation for ADHD was examined. Psychiatric symptomatology was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Patients were grouped by diagnostic history: (1) ADHD diagnosis in childhood and currently (< 12); (2) current ADHD diagnosis without childhood diagnosis; and (3) no ADHD/primary psychopathology diagnosis comparison group. Results Overall, there was a significant multivariate effect across groups (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.961, F(4,1204) = 5.971, p < 0.001); patients diagnosed with ADHD in childhood had significantly lower BAI and BDI-II scores than both those diagnosed later and those diagnosed with a condition other than ADHD. Conclusion(s) Individuals diagnosed with ADHD in childhood self-reported less symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to those diagnosed with ADHD later in adolescence or adulthood and those without an ADHD diagnosis. This underscores the potential importance of early identification and intervention for ADHD in mitigating subsequent symptoms of anxiety and depression.