Wolfgang Retz

Background: In the 5 years since the publication of the original ADHD International Consensus Statement, a great deal of new evidence has emerged. This updated consensus statement reflects the current state of the science with respect to ADHD, with a goal of reducing misconceptions and stigma around the disorder.Methods: Studies eligible for inclusion were published between January 1, 2021 and July 1, 2025 and were either: 1) large cohort studies of 2000 or more participants, or 2) meta-analyses of at least 5 studies or 2000 participants in which publication bias was considered. Eligible studies were summarized and consolidated by theme. Manuscript contents were reviewed and approved by 118 authors from 29 countries and 6 continents.Results: Two hundred and fifty empirically-supported statements were generated from these studies, offering readers an up-to-date understanding of the most robust findings in the areas of prevalence, how genes and environmental factors shape ADHD, psychiatric and somatic comorbidities, cognitive and neurological differences among individuals with ADHD, functional outcomes, and treatments for the disorder. Conclusions: Many of the conclusions of the original Consensus Statement are supported, but this update adds important nuance to some findings as a result of more recent evidence. It also highlights a few areas in which the balance of findings has shifted in the last 5 years, providing a transparent overview of the current scientific state of the field.

Introduction: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a stepped-care approach – a staged model that escalates from lower- to higher-intensity treatments according to clinical response – for the treatment of adolescents and adults with ADHD, taking into account symptom severity and prior treatment response. Methods: In a multicenter study, adolescents and adults with ADHD (16–45 years) participated in a two-step treatment program including randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In step 1, patients were (block-)randomized to 3 months of psychoeducation (PE), telephone-assisted self-help (TASH), or waiting control (WC). In step 2 based on step 1 response (full, partial, none), patients either received counseling or were randomized to counseling with/without neurofeedback (NF) or pharmacological treatment (with/without NF) for 6 months. The primary outcome was change in clinician-rated ADHD symptoms, analyzed using linear (mixed-)effects models for repeated measures to account for correlations within participants over time. Results: Between January 2015, and September 2020, N = 299 (mean age = 28 years, 55.2% male) patients were randomized in step 1. The primary outcome showed no significant between-group differences (PE vs. TASH: d = −0.12, 95% CI: −3.18, 1.19, p = 0.64; PE vs. control: d = −0.26, 95% CI: −4.25, 0.05, p = 0.13; TASH vs. control: d = −0.14, 95% CI: −3.24, 1.04, p = 0.57). However, significant within-group effects emerged (PE: d = −0.60; TASH: d = −0.48; WC: d = −0.34; p < 0.001). Step 2 also showed no between-group differences but significant within-group effects (MPH: d = −0.59; MPH+NF: d = −0.76; counseling: d = −0.57/−1.35, p = 0.01/p < 0.001). Mixed models revealed symptom reduction in all step 1 responders and step 1 non-responders in step 2. Conclusions: The lack of step 1 RCT differences questions the specific effects of PE/TASH. Similar patterns emerged in step 2, but intensified treatment for step 1 non-responders improved outcomes in MPH groups. Step 1 response influenced later treatment success. Some stepped-care combinations did not further reduce symptoms, but no rebound effects occurred. The main limitations of this study are the two-step design complexity, limited information on certain (additional) psychosocial components, and the need to make assumptions about missing data. Nevertheless, findings support the feasibility and partial effectiveness of a stepped-care approach.

Access to evidence-based psychosocial interventions for adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remains limited, despite strong patient demand for nonpharmacological options such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Digital interventions may offer a scalable, low-threshold solution to meet this need and complement existing care. This pragmatic randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of attexis , a fully self-guided digital intervention based on CBT and mindfulness principles, as an adjunct to treatment as usual (TAU). A total of 337 adults with confirmed ADHD were randomized to either attexis + TAU or TAU alone. The primary outcome was ADHD symptom severity (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale total score) at 3 months post-randomization (T1). Secondary outcomes included functional impairment, depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and health-related quality of life. Follow-up was conducted at 6 months (T2). Intent-to-treat analyses showed significantly lower ADHD symptom severity in the intervention group at T1 (baseline-adjusted mean difference = −5.0 points; d = 0.85, p < .001). Significant improvements were also observed across all secondary outcomes, and effects remained stable at T2. Responder analyses confirmed the clinical relevance of the findings. Subgroup analyses demonstrated consistent effects across sex, medication use, psychotherapy status, and treatment changes. No adverse events related to attexis were reported. attexis was effective in reducing ADHD symptoms and improving a broad range of functional and psychosocial outcomes. As a safe, low-threshold, fully self-guided intervention, it may serve as a valuable adjunct to routine care and help address existing gaps in access to psychosocial treatment for adults with ADHD.

Background: Men convicted of sexual offenses (MCSO) can be treated with testosterone-lowering medications (TLM) in order to support the control of paraphilic sexual fantasies and to decrease the risk of sexual recidivism. However, due to partly severe side effects, TLM should not be a lifelong treatment. Aim: The Change or Stop Testosterone-Lowering Medication (COSTLow)-R Scale was developed to assist forensic professionals in deciding on whether to change or stop TLM treatment in MCSO. The current study aimed to evaluate the scale in forensic outpatient aftercare practice. Methods: The COSTLow-R Scale was applied retrospectively in a forensic-psychiatric outpatient institution in Hesse, Germany, on 72 MCSO. TLM was stopped in 30 patients (41.7%). Moreover, 10 forensic professionals of the institution (23.3%) as well as an experienced working group within the institution focusing on the treatment of MCSO, qualitatively evaluated the COSTLow-R Scale by participating in an open designed survey. Outcomes: The COSTLow-R Scale ratings as assessed by forensic professionals were collected. In addition, a survey was performed among these professionals about the usefulness of the scale and their practical experiences with it. Results: TLM stopping decisions were significantly associated with three COSTLow-R Scale items: the compliance for monitoring effects and side effects, the possibility of psychotherapy before TLM treatment, and the therapeutic alliance before starting TLM treatment. In sum, the decision towards stopping TLM was more likely for patients whose compliance was considered higher, and for those who had demonstrated a greater treatment readiness as well as therapeutic alliance before starting TLM. The forensic professionals described the scale as a good and structured tool that displays which aspects are important to consider during TLM treatment decisions. Clinical Implications: The COSTLow-R Scale provides structure to the decision whether to change or stop TLM and should thus be implemented in the forensic treatment process of patients with TLM more frequently. Strengths & Limitations: Although the small sample size limits generalizability of the findings, the present study was conducted directly in a forensic center and, therefore, has high external validity and a strong impact on the life and health of patients treated with TLM. Conclusion: The results indicate that the COSTLow-R Scale can be a useful instrument facilitating the TLM decision-making process by providing a structured compendium of criteria. Further research is still needed to evaluate the scale and to provide additional evidence for the results of the current study.

There is some evidence that testosterone-lowering medications (TLM) may be an effective treatment for men convicted of sexual offenses by attenuating paraphilic sexual fantasies and behaviors and reducing the recidivism risk. To date, however, only little is known about the effects of TLM stopping on risk-relevant aspects. Therefore, the current study aimed at examining the recidivism risk as measured by Stable-2007 as well as official records of reoffenses in 29 men having stopped TLM treatment as compared to 37 men with ongoing TLM treatment. The Stable-2007 was rated retrospectively at 4 time points: committal to forensic treatment (T1), starting (T2) and stopping of TLM treatment (T3), and at reporting date (T4). There was a significant decrease in Stable-2007 scores over time, but there were no significant group differences. Within the stopped-TLM group, there were no significant differences between T3 and T4, implying that the recidivism risk remained stable over an average observation period of 4.5 years after TLM stopping. In addition, there was no significant difference in actual reoffending rates between the groups. For sexual reoffending, the percentages were 17.2% for the stopped-TLM group and 10.8% for the ongoing-TLM group. However, although the current results suggest that there is at least no increase in risk assessment (i.e., Stable-2007) after having stopped TLM, the actual reoffending rates of both groups were higher than expected. This once again demonstrates that TLM stopping decisions remain very difficult to make. Further studies are urgently needed to draw clearer conclusions.

Previous research has found some peculiarities in sexual functioning of adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Using a set of questionnaires that had to be answered online, we assessed the prevalence of paraphilic fantasies and behaviors in a sample of 160 adults with ADHD in comparison to 75 adults without ADHD and evaluated the association between paraphilias and hypersexuality in the ADHD group. Both groups reported high rates of paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. ADHD individuals were more likely to report about very sexually arousing paraphilic fantasies (ADHD: 58.2% vs. non-ADHD: 40.5%; χ ² = 6.323, p = 0.01) and behaviors (ADHD: 44.9% vs. non-ADHD: 28.4%; χ ² = 5.774, p = 0.02). Furthermore, ADHD individuals reported on average about more very sexually arousing paraphilic behaviors compared to non-ADHD individuals (ADHD: M = 1.28, SD = 0.10 vs. non-ADHD: M = 0.81, SD = 0.09; T = 2.68, p < 0.01). Furthermore, in ADHD individuals both very sexually arousing paraphilic interests in masturbation fantasies (r(158) = 0.17, p = 0.03) and in sexual behaviors (r(158) =0.19, p = 0.02) showed a significant correlation with hypersexuality. In non-ADHD individuals no such significant correlation could be found. Altogether, it can be concluded that individuals with ADHD seem to be more prone to develop and act out paraphilic sexuality than those without ADHD, however, found differences were rather small. The results of the present study add to the current trend to depathologize paraphilic sexuality in the general as well as in clinical populations.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are common in community samples and are associated with various dysfunctional physical, psychological, and behavioral consequences. In this regard, criminal offenders are at specific risk, considering their elevated ACE rates compared with community samples and the associations of ACEs with criminal behaviors. However, assessing ACEs in offender samples by self-reports has been criticized with regard to their validity and reliability. We examined the suitability of ACE-self-reports using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) in a sample of 231 male offenders involved in the German criminal justice system by comparing self-reported to externally rated ACEs to externally rated ACEs based on the information from the offenders’ criminal and health-related files and on interviews conducted by forensically trained psychological/psychiatric experts. The accordance between self-ratings and expert ratings was examined considering mean differences, correlations, inter-rater agreement measures, and regression analyses. Offenders themselves reported a higher ACE burden than the one that was rated externally, but there was a strong relationship between CTQ self-assessments and external assessments. However, associations were stronger in offenders seen for risk assessment than in those evaluated for criminal responsibility. Overall, the CTQ seems suitable for use in forensic samples. However, reporting bias in self-reports of ACEs should be expected. Therefore, the combination of self-assessments and external assessments seems appropriate.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is still a neglected disorder in older adults. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence and symptomatology of ADHD and associated psychopathology in adults aged 40–80 years in a German community sample. We examined 539 participants in two age groups: (1) 40–59 years old (n = 256) and (2) 60–80 years old (n = 283). To assess ADHD in both childhood and adulthood as well as current psychopathological impairments, we used self-report instruments and corresponding observer reports. We examined group differences between age groups and between ADHD and non-ADHD groups. The prevalence of ADHD in the total sample was 2.6% with no significant differences between the two age groups (40–59 years: 3.1% vs. 60–80 years: 2.1%). Although differences emerged in impulsivity/emotional lability and self-concept problems, overall ADHD symptom ratings did not differ between the age groups. The ADHD group showed more psychopathological peculiarities compared to individuals without ADHD with medium-to-large effect sizes. Self-reports and observer reports showed good concordance in the assessment of ADHD and comorbid psychopathological symptoms. Regarding current ADHD symptomatology, in 92.1%, self-report was corroborated by observer's information. Our findings underline that ADHD symptoms are relevant across the lifespan. Augmenting self-reports with observer reports could increase the assessment quality of ADHD. For successful treatment, clinicians should also focus on additional psychopathological impairments and comorbidities in older adults with ADHD.

Criminal offenders constitute a high-risk sample regarding experiences of childhood maltreatment and engagement in severe aggression. Moreover, psychopathic traits are more common in samples of offenders than non-offenders. Although research has underlined the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adult aggression, the influence of psychopathy on this link is still unclear. We examined the dynamics of maltreatment, aggression, and psychopathy in a mixed sample of 239 male violent, sexual, and other offenders using latent factor structural equation modeling. We found a consistent positive association of maltreatment with aggression. Psychopathy did not mediate this relation. Maltreatment was not associated with psychopathy, although psychopathy had a positive effect on aggressive behavior. These dynamics appeared similar for violent, sexual, and other offenders. However, latent variables were constructed somewhat differently depending on the offender status. For instance, sexual abuse appeared to be of specific importance in sexual offenders. Violent offenders showed high rates of psychopathy compared to sexual and other offenders. The current findings may inspire future research to focus more closely on the different subtypes of psychopathy when examining its role in the prediction of aggression based on childhood maltreatment. Moreover, childhood maltreatment must not be neglected in treatment and prevention approaches aimed at reducing the risk of aggressive behavior.