What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults?

Though awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has increased significantly over the past few decades, most people mistakenly believe that the disorder affects only young people, and that symptoms dissipate by the time a person becomes an adult.

This is simply not the case.

Experts estimate that as many as one third of adolescents who have been diagnosed with ADHD will carry the disorder with them into adulthood:

• Adults with ADHD may have difficulty concentrating and paying attention, and may exhibit extreme levels of activity, distractibility, and impulsivity.
• ADHD can wreak havoc with personal relationships, present ongoing problems at work, and can even lead to depression and substance abuse.
• However, with proper treatment, adults can learn to control and even capitalize on the extra energy and ingenuity that has been associated with ADHD.

Symptoms of Adult ADHD

As is often the case with young people who have the disorder, some adults with ADHD may have a very difficult time getting organized, planning ahead and maintaining order.

However, others - having had years of experience attempting to overcome the limitations of their disorder -- develop obsessive coping mechanisms and may be living highly organized and strictly scheduled lives.

The three core symptoms of ADHD are impulsivity, hyperactivity and distractibility:

1. Impulsivity - Individuals with ADHD may appear to exert little control over their words and actions, often saying or doing things that appear to be the result of raw emotion, unfiltered by logic or social conventions. In adults, this may manifest in addictive behaviors such as compulsive shopping or gambling.
2. Hyperactivity- For many young people with ADHD, sitting still is difficult if not impossible. Fidgeting, incessant talking and an inability to remain silent and motionless are common symptoms of ADHD. Hyperactivity is not as common in adults with ADHD as it is with adolescents and teenagers, leading some to conclude that the correct diagnosis for older patients may be ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).
3. Distractibility - Often seen as a component or a cause of both hyperactivity and impulsivity, the tendency to be distracted is often misinterpreted as disinterest or boredom. As is the case with young patients, adults who have ADHD may have trouble following conversations or keeping their attention focused on one task for an extended period of time.

Causes of ADHD

Medical science has not yet identified a definitive root cause of ADHD or ADD. Current thought on the topic indicates that the disorder is likely the result of a combination of factors, most likely involving genetics and brain structure

• The Genetic Component -- Adults who have ADHD usually have at least one close biological relative who also has the disorder. At least one-third of all fathers who had ADHD in their youth will have children who also have the disorder.
• Brain Structure and Function - Researchers have identified a number of brain-related factors, including structural anomalies, the presence (or lack thereof) of ample supplies of brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine, and functional differences between those who do and do not have ADHD.

Though research has yet to establish a clear cause-effect relationship between genetic and brain factors and the development of ADHD, they have been able to rule out a number of causes that were once given great credence. For example, the general consensus among ADHD experts indicates that neither eating too much sugar nor watching too much television can result in ADHD.

Treatment for Adult ADHD

Successfully treating an adult who has ADHD usually involves a combination of medication and therapy. Depending upon the nature and severity of the disorder and its impact on a person's life, treatment for adult ADHD may take place on an outpatient basis or in a residential setting (the latter being more likely if the patient's ADHD has led to depression, anxiety or substance abuse).

Though ADHD can be a chronic condition, it does not preclude a person from living a successful and satisfying life.