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Adult ADHD — CCFP MCQ

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HardMental healthAdult ADHDCCFP

A 31‑year‑old resident physician reports lifelong inattention, disorganisation and procrastination causing work impairment. Collateral history supports childhood symptoms. PHQ‑9 is 6, GAD‑7 is 7, and urine drug screen is negative. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

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Correct answer: C — Confirm functional impairment across settings and discuss ADHD treatment options, including stimulant or non‑stimulant medication, with ongoing monitoring

Explanation lettering: C = shown as A · A = shown as B · D = shown as C · E = shown as D · B = shown as E

Option D is correct. The presentation—with confirmed childhood symptoms, ongoing functional impairment, and exclusion of mood, anxiety, or substance issues—meets criteria for adult ADHD, which is a lifelong disorder in about two-thirds of cases. Canadian guidelines support documenting cross‑setting impairment and initiating evidence‑based treatment with stimulants or non‑stimulants under monitoring. Distractor A is incorrect: distractibility alone does not diagnose bipolar disorder, especially with low PHQ‑9/GAD‑7 scores. B is wrong: benzodiazepines are not indicated and can worsen attention and cause dependence. C is unnecessary: neuroimaging does not aid ADHD diagnosis. E is factually incorrect: ADHD often persists into adulthood. (Evidence: Canadian guidelines)

Reference: Gibbins C, Weiss M. Clinical recommendations in current practice guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in adults. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2007. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17915083/