Differential diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adolescents and adults -: case report of an 18-year-old woman with neuroborreliosis

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence that continues into adulthood in a considerable proportion of patients. Symptoms in adults are not always easy to discern as they may be in partial remission or can be covered from other psychopathologies. Diognosis is established on a retrospective anamnestic assessment of the symptoms, if possible supported by parental reports and the exploration of the patient. Because the core symptoms of the disorder with attention-deficit, impulsivity and hyperactivity occur commonly in other neuropsychiatric conditions, differential diagnostic work-up has a high importance. We report the case of a 18-yeor-old woman presenting the symptoms of ADHD, in whom in the course of the diagnostic assessment neuroborreliosis could be detected. After antibiotic treatment all symptoms remitted completely. The case illustrates the need for a well structured diagnostic hierarchy, if ADHD in adults is suspected.