ADHD is often highly publicized as a childhood disorder, which leaves adults with the illness unable to identify with the characteristics commonly portrayed. ADHD symptoms in adults may present in different ways and very often adults with ADHD experience high levels of disorganisation across work and life circumstances, which they not initially identify as a manifestation of the disorder.
Typically, to be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, the symptoms must be present from childhood. This may present a challenge for adults as a diagnosis of ADHD may not have been considered in their early years. The triggers for adults seeking assessment vary. Due to the genetic link, often a parent may recognise symptoms in themselves once their child has been diagnosed with ADHD. Alternatively, as ADHD adults experience high rates of other mental disorders, ADHD may be considered when seeking help for another disorder. Recent increased awareness that adults can be affected with ADHD has assisted many individuals to initiate assessment for either themselves, their partner or family member. Practitioners assessing ADHD symptoms in adults may need to work through various decision steps, as illustrated here.
Although regarded as a childhood disorder, it is well documented that symptoms of ADHD may persist into adulthood. About one-third of children diagnosed with ADHD will continue to have symptoms into early adulthood. Although ADHD symptoms continue to decline in early adulthood, a significant proportion of individuals continue to longer term ADHD symptoms. With the passage of time, ADHD manifests itself somewhat differently in adults, with physical hyperactivity much less evident than with ADHD children. As with childhood ADHD, the precise explanation for ADHD symptoms in adults is unknown. However, there is abundant evidence that points to it being a condition which has strong genetic influences that can result in altered brain function.
Despite an improved understanding of the basis of the disorder, a diagnosis of ADHD in adults is made on clinical grounds. That is, by establishing a history of symptoms of the disorder in childhood, and assessing whether these symptoms have continued into adulthood. Usually this involves gathering information from those close to the individual, as well as the person experiencing the symptoms themselves.
ADHD in adults is often associated with other disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, substance misuse or learning disorders. These conditions may require specific treatment in themselves. As these conditions can complicate diagnosis, or even mimic ADHD, sometimes these disorders require treatment before an accurate diagnosis of ADHD can be made. For a list of possible conditions which could mimic ADHD in adults, click here.
However, the future holds promise for adults living with ADHD. Over the last decade, there has been a significant amount of research into the adult presentations of ADHD, which has improved the assessment, diagnosis and management of this condition.