Seasonal Variations in the Severity of ADHD Symptoms in the Dutch General Population. Issue 9 (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vogel, Suzan W. N.; ten Have, Margreet L.; Bijlenga, Denise; de Graaf, Ron; Beekman, Aartjan T. F.; Kooij, J. J. Sandra
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 23:Issue 9(2019)
• Page Start: 924
• Page End: 930
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: seasons -- ADHD symptom severity -- population-based study; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054716649663
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: This is the first study to examine self-reported seasonal differences in the severity of ADHD symptoms in adults from the general population.Method: Data were analyzed from N = 5, 303 respondents participating in the second wave of the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study–2, a population-based study on mental health. ADHD symptoms were assessed using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Screener. As indicators of the severity of ADHD symptoms, the total ADHD symptom score and inattention and hyperactivity subscale scores were examined.Results : Compared with participants who were assessed in autumn, total ADHD and inattention subscale scores were significantly higher among participants who were assessed in spring or summer; the hyperactivity subscale score was significantly higher in spring.Conclusion: We found seasonal variations in the severity of ADHD symptoms, which was highest in those assessed in spring and summer. Researchers should be aware of this in the diagnostic process.