The experiences of receiving a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during adulthood in Japan: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Although the number of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has increased considerably in recent years, there are few qualitative investigations of the experiences of adults with adult-diagnosed ADHD in Japan. This study aimed to explore in depth the diagno...
Main Authors: | , , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
BMC
2020-07-01
|
Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-020-02774-y |
id |
doaj-6916f8793a404845b079b2e2106ce953 |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-6916f8793a404845b079b2e2106ce9532020-11-25T02:18:23ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2020-07-012011810.1186/s12888-020-02774-yThe experiences of receiving a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during adulthood in Japan: a qualitative studyYumi Aoki0Takashi Tsuboi1Takehiko Furuno2Koichiro Watanabe3Mami Kayama4Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing, St. Luke’s International UniversityDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Kyorin UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Tokyo Medical CenterDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Kyorin UniversityPsychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing, St. Luke’s International UniversityAbstract Background Although the number of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has increased considerably in recent years, there are few qualitative investigations of the experiences of adults with adult-diagnosed ADHD in Japan. This study aimed to explore in depth the diagnosis-related experiences and needs of such adults. Methods Participants were 12 psychiatric outpatients aged 23–55 years diagnosed with ADHD during adulthood. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine participants’ experiences of receiving, and subsequently coping with, an ADHD diagnosis. A thematic analysis of the interview data was performed. Results Six themes emerged: difficulties in accepting the diagnosis, interest in ADHD, feelings of relief, identity concerns, dealing with symptoms, and acceptance of ADHD. Despite initial negative reactions, participants were willing to learn about the disorder, spending time seeking ADHD-related information and sharing it with loved ones. Participants felt relieved after the diagnosis, as they realized why they had experienced long-term problems and incorrect labeling. However, participants also had identity concerns. They gradually began to accept their ADHD symptoms and deal with them better. Conclusions The results suggest that, when treating individuals with adult-diagnosed ADHD, it is important to promote self-understanding and reduce negative attitudes toward ADHD; to provide appropriate, brief, evidence-based information about ADHD; and to give individuals sufficient time to think about their ADHD symptoms, how they have affected their daily lives, and how to cope with them in the future.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-020-02774-yAdultsAttention deficit hyperactivity disorderDevelopmental disabilitiesQualitative research |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Yumi Aoki Takashi Tsuboi Takehiko Furuno Koichiro Watanabe Mami Kayama |
spellingShingle |
Yumi Aoki Takashi Tsuboi Takehiko Furuno Koichiro Watanabe Mami Kayama The experiences of receiving a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during adulthood in Japan: a qualitative study BMC Psychiatry Adults Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Developmental disabilities Qualitative research |
author_facet |
Yumi Aoki Takashi Tsuboi Takehiko Furuno Koichiro Watanabe Mami Kayama |
author_sort |
Yumi Aoki |
title |
The experiences of receiving a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during adulthood in Japan: a qualitative study |
title_short |
The experiences of receiving a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during adulthood in Japan: a qualitative study |
title_full |
The experiences of receiving a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during adulthood in Japan: a qualitative study |
title_fullStr |
The experiences of receiving a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during adulthood in Japan: a qualitative study |
title_full_unstemmed |
The experiences of receiving a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during adulthood in Japan: a qualitative study |
title_sort |
experiences of receiving a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during adulthood in japan: a qualitative study |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
BMC Psychiatry |
issn |
1471-244X |
publishDate |
2020-07-01 |
description |
Abstract Background Although the number of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has increased considerably in recent years, there are few qualitative investigations of the experiences of adults with adult-diagnosed ADHD in Japan. This study aimed to explore in depth the diagnosis-related experiences and needs of such adults. Methods Participants were 12 psychiatric outpatients aged 23–55 years diagnosed with ADHD during adulthood. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine participants’ experiences of receiving, and subsequently coping with, an ADHD diagnosis. A thematic analysis of the interview data was performed. Results Six themes emerged: difficulties in accepting the diagnosis, interest in ADHD, feelings of relief, identity concerns, dealing with symptoms, and acceptance of ADHD. Despite initial negative reactions, participants were willing to learn about the disorder, spending time seeking ADHD-related information and sharing it with loved ones. Participants felt relieved after the diagnosis, as they realized why they had experienced long-term problems and incorrect labeling. However, participants also had identity concerns. They gradually began to accept their ADHD symptoms and deal with them better. Conclusions The results suggest that, when treating individuals with adult-diagnosed ADHD, it is important to promote self-understanding and reduce negative attitudes toward ADHD; to provide appropriate, brief, evidence-based information about ADHD; and to give individuals sufficient time to think about their ADHD symptoms, how they have affected their daily lives, and how to cope with them in the future. |
topic |
Adults Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Developmental disabilities Qualitative research |
url |
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-020-02774-y |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT yumiaoki theexperiencesofreceivingadiagnosisofattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderduringadulthoodinjapanaqualitativestudy AT takashitsuboi theexperiencesofreceivingadiagnosisofattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderduringadulthoodinjapanaqualitativestudy AT takehikofuruno theexperiencesofreceivingadiagnosisofattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderduringadulthoodinjapanaqualitativestudy AT koichirowatanabe theexperiencesofreceivingadiagnosisofattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderduringadulthoodinjapanaqualitativestudy AT mamikayama theexperiencesofreceivingadiagnosisofattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderduringadulthoodinjapanaqualitativestudy AT yumiaoki experiencesofreceivingadiagnosisofattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderduringadulthoodinjapanaqualitativestudy AT takashitsuboi experiencesofreceivingadiagnosisofattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderduringadulthoodinjapanaqualitativestudy AT takehikofuruno experiencesofreceivingadiagnosisofattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderduringadulthoodinjapanaqualitativestudy AT koichirowatanabe experiencesofreceivingadiagnosisofattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderduringadulthoodinjapanaqualitativestudy AT mamikayama experiencesofreceivingadiagnosisofattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderduringadulthoodinjapanaqualitativestudy |
_version_ |
1724882560766443520 |