Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults

Many people have heard of ADHD. It may make you think of kids who have trouble paying attention or who are hyperactive or impulsive. Adults can have ADHD, too. About 4% to 5% of U.S. adults have it. But few adults get diagnosed or treated for it.

Who gets adult ADHD? Every adult who has ADHD had it as a child. Some may have been diagnosed and known it. But some may have not been diagnosed when they were young and only find out later in life.

While many kids with ADHD outgrow it, about 60% still have it as adults. Adult ADHD seems to affect men and women equally.

If you have adult ADHD, you may find it hard to:

This can cause trouble in many parts of life — at home, at work, or at school. Getting treatment and learning ways to manage ADHD can help. Most people learn to adapt. And adults with ADHD can develop their personal strengths and find success.

If you have ADHD, you may have trouble with:

These may affect you a lot, or they may not bother you much. They can be problems all of the time or just depend on the situation.

No two people with ADHD are exactly alike. If you have ADHD, you may be able to concentrate if you’re interested in or excited about what you’re doing. But some people with ADHD have trouble focusing under any circumstances. Some people look for stimulation, but others avoid it. Plus, some people with ADHD can be withdrawn and antisocial. Others can be very social and go from one relationship to the next.

Adults With ADHD may have:

Adults With ADHD are more likely to:

Adults with ADHD are more likely to:

Adults with ADHD are more likely to:

Look for a psychiatrist who has experience with diagnosing and treating people with ADHD.

The doctor may:

While experts don’t agree on an age that you can first diagnose ADHD, they do agree that people don’t suddenly develop it as an adult. That’s why when a doctor sees you they will ask about your behavior and any symptoms that you may have had as a child. They may also:

People who have ADHD may have had trouble getting along with others when they were kids or had a hard time in school. Teachers may have had to work with you. For example, maybe you had to sit at the front of the class.

They’ll also ask if anyone else in your family has ADHD. This can be helpful information because it does seem like ADHD runs in families.

If your doctor says you have ADHD, you’ll work together to make a treatment plan just for you.

Treatment plans can include medicine, therapy, education or learning more about ADHD, and getting family support.

Together these things can help you find new ways to do things that can make day-to-day life easier. That can make you feel better in general and feel better about yourself.

Making sure you get fully checked by a doctor is important. That’s because people with ADHD often face other conditions, too. You may also have a learning disability, anxiety or another mood disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, or a dependence on drugs or alcohol. Knowing the whole picture can make sure you get the best plan for you.

Stimulant Medications. Adults with ADHD are often offered stimulant medications. Studies show that about two-thirds of adults with ADHD who take these medications have big improvements in their symptoms.

Examples of stimulant medications include:

But stimulants are not always ideal. Why? They can be:

Non-Stimulant Medications. Doctors may also recommend a non-stimulant medication for you to take, either on its own or with a stimulant. They are:

You may want to ask about making these part of your treatment plan, too:

Here are some things you can do on your own to make life with ADHD more manageable:

SOURCES:

Mayo Clinic: “Adult ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder).”

Attention Deficit Disorder Association.

FamilyDoctor.org: “Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD).”

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Some say it’s the hardest part of life with ADHD.

See what adult ADHD looks like.

Which activities can help relieve symptoms?

What to know about withdrawal.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults

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