Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often unrecognized and under-diagnosed in adults. It is important to understand Adult ADHD as it often leads to other conditions following life-long frustration and failure related to ADHD.
Characteristics of Adult ADHD
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, causing significant functional impairment. It can be associated with learning problems, behavioral problems, emotional problems, lower occupational status, problems with communication, problems in relationships and reduced quality of life.
More specifically, hyperactivity can be shown by extreme restlessness, inability to relax, and wearing others out with activity. Inattention may be evidenced by disorganization, procrastination, boredom or sensitivity to stress. Attention deficits can include loss of train of thought, difficulty sustaining conversation in a crowd, challenges with in-depth conversations on one topic, mind wandering off/ daydreaming, starting a task but not finishing it, or difficulty doing more than one task at a time. Memory problems can include misplacing items, forgetting deadlines, commitments, or appointments, losing track of time, forgetting instructions, and slow mental processing.
Adults with ADHD can have the following difficulties: ceaseless mental activities, procrastination, low tolerance for frustration, mood liability, low self-esteem disorganization, attitudinal problems, disinhibition, sleep problems.
Risks Associated with Adult ADHD
Adults with ADHD are at increased risk of impairments in education and academic performance, serious traffic accidents, criminal problems, physical and mental health problems.
Untreated adult ADHD can be related to various clinical and sociological outcomes like impaired quality of life, elevated morbidity and mortality, impaired relationships, reduced employment, vulnerability to depression and anxiety, and suicide.
Testing and Treatments for Adult ADHD
There are tests and assessments that are helpful to diagnosis an adult with ADHD. These tests can include but are not limited to: neuropsychological assessments, intelligence tests, attention assessments, response inhibition, executive functioning assessments, memory tests, and processing speed assessments.
If you are living with Adult ADHD, there are a variety of treatment options available. Treatment options can include one or a combination of the following: medications, psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), compensatory strategies, group therapy, digital health interventions, exercise, and neurofeedback/hypnotherapy.
