Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have different symptoms than children. With a proper diagnosis, adult ADHD is both manageable and treatable.
When we think of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, many of us imagine young children. Maybe you picture a child who can’t sit still or has a hard time focusing on school.
However, many adults are living with ADHD as well – both with and without a diagnosis. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 6% of adults in the United States have ADHD, and the diagnosis rates are rising.
ADHD symptoms in adults often manifest as difficulties with sustained attention, organization, task completion, and impulse control. Hyperactivity may present as internal restlessness rather than overt motor activity. These symptoms can result in significant impairment across occupational, academic, and social domains, including increased risk for unemployment, interpersonal difficulties, and comorbid psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.
Learn more about ADHD in adults, its symptoms, various treatment options, and resources available for support.
What is ADHD?
According to the CDC, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by persistent symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development. ADHD can make it difficult to function in different areas of life, such as at home, in school, or at work.
What are the Symptoms?
The National Institution of Mental Health says adults with ADHD may experience the following symptoms related to inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity:
- Difficulty paying attention or sustaining attention.
- Difficulty with organization.
- Difficulty staying on task, keeping appointments, or completing large projects.
- Trouble remembering daily tasks.
- Difficulty engaging in quiet activities.
- Frequent fidgeting, including bouncing your leg, tapping a pen, checking your phone repeatedly, or a sense of internal restlessness.
- Impulsivity or acting without thinking.
- Conversation challenges, such as speaking impulsively, interrupting others, and talking without stopping.
- A need for constant activity or stimulation.
ADHD symptoms can change over time and may look different in adults. For example, hyperactivity may decrease as you age and may turn into constant feelings of restlessness. Symptoms that may make school difficult for children can show up as challenges at work for adults, such as missed deadlines or forgotten meetings.
Even certain people without ADHD can show some of these behaviors. But for those adults with ADHD, the symptoms are more frequent, persistent, and long-lasting, which can interfere with daily life, relationships, work, or school.
How is ADHD Diagnosed in Adults?
Most ADHD diagnoses are made during childhood. However, there can be many reasons a person may not have been diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. For example, maybe your parents or teachers were able to help you thrive with a supportive environment and helpful interventions as a child. Or maybe your symptoms were mild enough that you were able to manage them better when you were younger and had less demands than you do now as an adult. However, it’s never too late to seek a diagnosis and begin treatment for ADHD.
If you’re concerned about whether you have ADHD, the first step is to talk with your primary care provider. To help diagnose ADHD, the Mayo Clinic says your primary care provider or a mental health professional may take the following steps:
- Complete a checklist of current medical issues, personal, and family medical history to review and rate your ADHD symptoms.
- Talk to people who know you well, such as a partner, family members, and friends, to learn more about you and your long-term functioning.
- Talk to you and others about your childhood, including looking at school reports or childhood records if available, to determine if symptoms were present before age 12.
- Complete a physical and psychological exam to rule out other health problems that may resemble ADHD—such as thyroid or sleep disorders—and conditions that appear with ADHD, such as mood, anxiety, personality, impulse control, and substance use disorders.
What Treatments are Available for ADHD?
The most common treatments for ADHD in adults include:
- Medication, including stimulant and non-stimulant medications.
- Behavioral treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
Combined approaches integrating medication and structured psychotherapy yield superior outcomes compared to either modality alone. In addition, some adults may find the following strategies helpful:
- Support from a life coach or an ADHD coach to help you improve your executive functioning skills, such as setting consistent routines or keeping a planner.
- Lifestyle changes, like adding more physical exercise to your daily routine.
- Reasonable accommodations designed to help improve success at work, such as breaks that allow you time to stand up and walk around, or noise-canceling headphones to minimize distractions.
Effective treatment often involves combining various treatments and testing different ones before finding the combination that works best. To remain effective, treatment plans should include close monitoring, follow-ups, and changes to the plan if needed.
What Resources are Available for Support?
- TRICARE covers a variety of services for mental health, including psychological testing and assessment, behavioral therapy, and more.
- Military OneSource offers free, short-term, confidential counseling services for a wide range of issues, including relationship conflicts, stress management, and parenting issues.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs has a variety of mental health resources, information, and treatment options, including medications and counseling.
ADHD affects more than just children trying to concentrate in school. If you’re an adult who thinks you may have ADHD symptoms, reach out to your health care provider and access the support you deserve.