Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: ADHD in adults

What is ADHD?

ADHD is one of the most well-recognised childhood developmental problems, characterised by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. According to the NHS, an estimated two-thirds of children will have some symptoms that affect their daily lives in adulthood.  However, few adults are identified or treated for adult ADHD   

ADHD in adults

Adults with ADHD may have difficulty following directions, remembering information, concentrating, organising tasks or completing work within time limits. If these difficulties are not managed appropriately, they can cause associated behavioural, emotional, social, vocational and academic problems.

ADHD afflicts approximately 3%-9% of school-age children and an estimated 66% of those will maintain some traits of the disorder into adulthood. ADHD affects males at a higher rate than females in childhood, but this ratio seems to even out by adulthood.

Common behaviour and problems of adult ADHD

The following behaviour and problems may stem directly from ADHD or may be the result of related adjustment difficulties:

• Chronic lateness and forgetfulness
• Anxiety
• Low self-esteem
• Employment problems
• Difficulty controlling anger
• Impulsiveness
• Substance abuse or addiction
• Poor organisational skills
• Procrastination
• Frustration
• Chronic boredom
• Difficulty concentrating when reading
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Relationship problems

These problems may be mild to severe and can vary with situations. Some adults with ADHD may be able to concentrate if they are interested in what they are doing. Others may have difficulty focusing under any circumstances. Some adults look for stimulation but others avoid it. In addition, adults with ADHD can be withdrawn and anti-social, or they can be overly social and unable to be alone.

School-related impairments linked to adult ADHD

Adults with ADHD may have:

• A history of poor educational performance or underachievement
• Had frequent school disciplinary actions
• Had to repeat a year
• Dropped out of school

Work-related problems linked to adult ADHD

Adults with ADHD are more likely to:

• Change employers frequently and perform poorly
• Have had fewer achievements at work

Social-related impairments linked to adult ADHD

Adults with ADHD are more likely to:

• Have a low socio-economic status
• Be involved in driving offences
• Use illegal substances.
• Smoke cigarettes
• Self-report psychological problems

Relationship-related impairments linked to adult ADHD

Adults with ADHD are more likely to:

• Have more marital problems and multiple marriages
• Have higher incidence of separation and divorce
• Much of this functional impairment diminishes with remission of the disorder and can be mitigated by appropriate treatment.

How is adult ADHD diagnosed?

There is no definitive list of adult ADHD symptoms, and experts agree that simply applying the childhood symptoms to adults does not work. This is because the classic symptoms - inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness - affect adults differently from the way they affect children. For example, hyperactivity tends to decrease in adults, while inattentiveness tends to get worse as the pressure of adult life increases. Also, adult symptoms of ADHD tend to be far more subtle than childhood symptoms.