ADHD in Adulthood

Many people think of ADHD as something that is solely diagnosed in childhood, however, there are many adults worldwide living with ADHD that has been either undiagnosed, untreated, or both.

So what exactly is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and it is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in the world. ADHD is thought to be caused by a lack of the neurotransmitter, dopamine, in parts of the brain important for memory, attention, and inhibition.

The exact cause of ADHD is unknown however there are some factors that are thought to increase someone’s chances of developing ADHD. For example, ADHD is thought to be genetic, so, if a family member has ADHD then you may be more likely to have the disorder as well.

There are technically three different types of ADHD: inattentive type, hyperactive type, and combined type. Depending on which type of ADHD you have, the symptoms your experience may differ.

If you have the inattentive type of ADHD, you may experience symptoms like: difficulty paying attention to detail, forgetfulness, difficulty sustaining attention, difficulty listening, trouble organizing things, frequently losing things, or getting easily distracted.

If you have the hyperactive type of ADHD on the other hand you may experience symptoms like: fidgeting or squirming, being unable to stay seated for sustained periods of time, restlessness, being loud, feeling like you need to be “on the go”, excessive talking, interrupting others, or difficulty taking turns.

In the combined type of ADHD you may experience any combination of these symptoms.

ADHD in Adults

To be diagnosed with ADHD, technically, you would need to experience symptoms before the age of twelve. However, there are many cases in which ADHD symptoms in children get missed or undiagnosed. These children go on into adulthood and often go many years suffering from symptoms associated with untreated ADHD.

For example, it is not uncommon for people with primarily the inattentive type of ADHD to suffer from symptoms for many years before finally seeking help. This is because people with this type of ADHD are never the children who are jumping out of their seats or disrupting class. They are often able to get through grade school with no real issues and may even excel academically due to above average intelligence. However, oftentimes when these people either enter college or the workforce they find they struggle immensely with balancing life and functioning as a professional, a parent, and/or a spouse. It is also not uncommon for ADHD to go undiagnosed in woman, mainly because many females often suffer from this inattentive type of ADHD.

Having ADHD that is untreated in adulthood can be very difficult and is linked to several possible negative outcomes including poor work performance, impulsive behaviors, increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, social difficulties, unemployment, family dysfunction, substance use problems, and even a higher risk of developing other mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression.

If you think you have undiagnosed or untreated ADHD that is impairing your life, you have the option at Preferred Medical Group to reach out to your healthcare provider for an assessment today.