ADHD in Adults
How common is ADHD in Adults?
In 2023, an estimated 15.5 million adults in the U.S. had been diagnosed with ADHD, with nearly half receiving their diagnosis in adulthood (CDC, 2024). About one-third of adults with ADHD take stimulant medication, and about 71% had difficulty filling their prescription medications due to unavailability. It is NEVER too late for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Why a Late Diagnosis is Common?
Undiagnosed Symptoms in Childhood:
Teachers and parents may not have not recognized ADHD symptoms
Supportive Environments:
Structured and supportive environments during childhood, such as attentive parents or accommodating schools, may allow individuals to manage well without diagnosis or treatment until their ability to manage is overwhelmed by demands.
Increased Adult Responsibilities:
The demands of adulthood—like managing a career, maintaining relationships, and handling finances—can exacerbate symptoms that were previously manageable
Evolving Awareness of ADHD:
Awareness and understanding of ADHD symptoms, particularly in adults, have grown significantly in recent years
Comorbidities:
ADHD often coexists with other conditions like anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders, which might be diagnosed first, delaying recognition of the underlying ADHD.
How ADHD Symptoms Vary by Age
Symptom Type | Common Across All Ages | Preschool–Grade 2 | Grades 3–7 | Teens and Adults |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hyperactivity | Feeling the need to move constantly (in those with hyperactive symptoms) | Getting up or moving around during quiet activities like story time | Restlessness during activities that aren’t very engaging | Difficulty staying seated or feeling restless in environments requiring prolonged focus |
Starting/Finishing Tasks | Procrastination or struggling to complete tasks | Not slowing down enough to do things carefully (e.g., writing or pouring cereal) | Procrastinating or turning in messy, incomplete work with careless mistakes | Trouble setting priorities, getting sidetracked, or failing to complete tasks without reminders |
Memory | Forgetting important or recent information | Trouble remembering and following simple directions (e.g., “put on your backpack”) | Trouble following multi-step directions | Forgetting deadlines or details of important tasks |
Managing Emotions | Struggling with frustration, anger, or emotional regulation | Getting very upset or angry over minor issues like spilling something | Getting very frustrated or upset with feeling rejected by peers or with criticism | Difficulty maintaining friendships or managing social dynamics |
Focus | Trouble focusing, staying on task, or being easily distracted | Trouble remembering things just taught (e.g., basic math facts) | Trouble completing tasks like essays, rushing through work, or working so slowly that they don’t finish | Forgetting assignments, deadlines, or "spacing out" and needing to re-read or ask for repetition |
Impulse Control | Acting before thinking | Grabbing things without permission, talking or fidgeting during quiet activities | Clowning around in class, saying or doing things without thinking of consequences | Taking risks without considering consequences |
Prevalence of Co-Morbid Mental Health Conditions in Adults with ADHD
Conditions | Adults without ADHD | Adults with ADHD |
|---|---|---|
Any Anxiety Disorder | 19.5% | 47.1% |
Any Mood Disorder | 11.1% | 38.3% |
Social Phobia | 7.8% | 29.3% |
Bipolar Disorder | 3.1% | 19.4% |
Major Depressive Disorder | 7.8% | 18.6% |
Substance Abuse | 5.6% | 15.2% |
PTSD | 3.3% | 11.9% |
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder | 1.3% | 2.70% |
Data retrieved from https://chadd.org/about-adhd/co-occuring-conditions/
I Am an Adult and Think I Might Have ADHD: Initial Steps
1)Try the Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS).
The ASRS is a validated screening tool designed to identify symptoms consistent with adult ADHD. It consists of questions that focus on inattentiveness and hyperactivity. While the ASRS is an excellent starting point, it’s important to note that it is not a diagnostic tool. A positive screening does not confirm ADHD but suggests that further evaluation is warranted. You can access the full version of the ASRS here.
4) Schedule Follow-Up Appointments
Ensure consistent care by booking follow-up appointments to track progress and adjust treatment as needed.
2) Schedule an Appointment with a Licensed Clinician
Book a formal diagnosis with a licensed clinician such as psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. Diagnosis of ADHD in adults focuses on reflecting on childhood symptoms, evaluating how current symptoms impact daily life (e.g., work, relationships, organization), and addressing co-morbid conditions, such as anxiety or depression that often complicate the diagnostic process.
3) Explore Treatment Options/ treat co-morbid conditions
Treatment for adult ADHD includes stimulant or non-stimulant medications, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to improve organization and emotional regulation, and addressing co-morbid conditions like anxiety or depression. Lifestyle adjustments, such as building routines, using reminders, and maintaining healthy habits, also play a key role.
5) Join a Peer Support Group
Connect with others managing ADHD by joining a support group for adults. This can provide valuable community and shared experiences.
What it's Like to be Diagnosed with ADHD as an Adult
Resources for Adults with ADHD
1) Virtual Support Group Meetings
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CHADD of Greater Los Angeles
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The organization has Zoom meetings every Sunday 7pm for ADHD Empowerment for adults
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2) Podcasts
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"I Have ADHD"
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Hosted by ADHD coach Kristen Carder, this podcast helps adults with ADHD navigate life's challenges, discussing topics like motherhood, relationships and self-care
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"ADHD Experts Podcast" by ADDitude
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Leading ADHD experts give real-life answers to questions submitted by ADD adults and parents raising children with attention deficit disorder across a range of topics covering symptoms, school, work, and family life
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"The ADHD Friendly Lifestyle"
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Moira Maybin shares her experience with a late ADHD diagnosis and offers tips on how to work ADHD traits rather than fight against them
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3) ADHD Apps for Adults
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Flow Club
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A virtual co-working platform where you book sessions, share your goals with others for accountability and work alongside a supportive community to boost focus and productivity through timed, deep work sessions
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Goblin Tools
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A set of productivity tools that help break down large tasks into manageable steps provides time estimates and defeats ADHD-related challenges, such as procrastination and missing deadlines
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Todoist
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Organizes your entire to-do-list based on urgency so you can keep track of what needs to be done right away and what can wait
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References
ADD. (n.d.). ADHD questionnaire: ASRS V1.1. Retrieved from https://add.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/adhd-questionnaire-ASRS111.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7340a1.htm.
ADHD: Signs at different ages. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/articles/signs-of-adhd-at-different-ages
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. (n.d.). Coexisting conditions. CHADD. Retrieved from https://chadd.org/about-adhd/coexisting-conditions/
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. (n.d.). Co-occurring conditions. CHADD. Retrieved from https://chadd.org/about-adhd/co-occuring-conditions/
Lamkin, C. (2024, June 11). Why is adult ADHD on the rise? University of Utah Health. Retrieved from https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2024/06/why-adult-adhd-rise
MDCalc. (n.d.). Adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS). Retrieved from https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/1730/adult-self-report-scale-asrs-adhd
Noguchi, H. (2023, June 26). Difference between ADHD and normal behavior [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DNCDwUv_gkQ&t=29s
South African Depression and Anxiety Group. (n.d.). The difference between child and adult ADHD. Retrieved from https://www.sadag.org/images/pdf/MHM_Difference-between-Child-and-adult-ADHD.pdf
Van Cleave, J., Gortmaker, S. L., & Perrin, J. M. (2010). Dynamics of obesity and chronic health conditions among children and youth. JAMA, 303(7), 623–630. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23144063/
World Health Organization. (2023, March). Adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS) V1.1. NovoPsych. Retrieved from https://novopsych.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Adult-ADHD-Self-Report-Scale-ASRS-V1.1.pdf