ADHD or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental (or brain development) condition that is quite common in children. Five to ten percent of school-aged children in the US (depending on the source you read) are reported to have been diagnosed with it. But can adults have the condition too?
What is ADHD?
There is no single laboratory test to diagnose ADHD. It’s diagnosed by analyzing symptoms and problems the person has, such as:
Lack of attention and focus, daydreaming
Hyperactivity, always fidgeting or moving
Being impulsive
Difficulty controlling emotions
Self-focused behaviour: interrupting others, trouble waiting their turn
Poor organization and time management skills
Forgetfulness
Problems finishing a task
Difficulty following instructions
While all children show these traits at times, children with ADHD do this more regularly and the behaviours can affect success in school and interactions with other children. The diagnosis of ADHD is a process with several steps. The doctor will want to make sure it isn’t another problem with similar symptoms, like a sleep disorder, anxiety, depression, or a learning disability. They may want to talk to teachers, parents and others who care for the child to assess behaviour in different situations. Sometimes, if it is felt that medication would be beneficial, a trial will be done to assess how well a particular medication works before starting a regular prescription. Regular drug holidays are recommended to ensure it is still needed.
There are 3 types of ADHD: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and a combination of the two. Symptoms can change over time, as the person ages and, while males are more often active, females tend to be the inattentive type that is less often diagnosed.
And, yes, the condition can continue into adulthood. However, adults are less likely to be diagnosed and the symptoms can be different.
Symptoms in adults
While many of the symptoms of ADHD in adults are similar to those in children, adults often exhibit restlessness and inattention, rather than overt hyperactivity. Fidgeting can continue for adults, as well as impulsivity.
As adults, those with ADHD can still tend to get distracted easily and misplace things. They might lose their temper quickly, be more irritable and impatient than others, and interrupt other people who are speaking. They may also have more difficulty than most in following instructions. Adults with ADHD could find dealing with stress to be a challenge. At work, they may miss deadlines and have difficulty staying seated, succeeding better at a job where they can move around.
But many adults have learned adaptations to control their symptoms and to turn what can be a problem in childhood into an advantage as an adult. A job that requires lots of energy might be perfect for someone with ADHD. Having an ADHD mind that likes to think “out of the box” can be an advantage for work that requires innovation and creativity. Smartphones are an ideal tool to keep on schedule and ensure important tasks are not forgotten.
Some years ago, my husband and I were watching a program on TV about adult ADHD. At the end of the documentary, we looked at each other with the same thought: my hubby had ADHD. But he has turned it into an advantage. He’s always had plenty of energy to keep up with the middle school students he taught and innovative ideas to make their curriculum interesting. Understandably, his most disliked part of the job was sitting in staff meetings. I think his favourite invention is the sticky note and he’s used them well for years to keep organized and remember tasks that needed to be done—a great adaptation strategy.
My friends have always been jealous of me with my “hyperactive hubby”… He always been energetic and looking for projects to do around the house. I’d come up with an idea for a home improvement and, next thing I’d know, it was done!
What’s the cause?
The cause of ADHD is generally thought to be genetic—it tends to run in families—or a result of how the brain developed, perhaps influenced by something like nutrition or smoking/alcohol use during pregnancy. But there has been some suggestion it could be due to (or worsened) by pesticides or food additives and colouring agents—chemicals in our food. Some parents report improvement in their child’s symptoms by changing to whole, unprocessed food in the diet. As this is a healthy change, it’s worth trying.
Research has not shown ADHD to be caused by too much sugar in the diet, watching TV or playing video games excessively, poverty or poor parenting. However, these factors could potentially worsen ADHD symptoms.
But there are medications to control symptoms and increase the person’s ability to succeed in a setting that requires sitting still and paying attention, like school. Unfortunately, most schools are not geared to teaching children who don’t fit “in the box” of sitting at desks in rows in a classroom, making it more difficult for a very active child to be successful and harder for the teacher to cope.
However, learning coping strategies to compensate for negative symptoms, while choosing activities and careers that take advantage of the positive aspects of ADHD can help a person succeed and thrive because of their differences. Coping strategies should be part of any treatment that is considered necessary.
One positive characteristic of some with ADHD is the ability to change. My hubby actually loves new situations and thrives in new challenges. In these days of rapid change, this can be a distinct advantage. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying: “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change” and, although politicians are often criticized for changing their minds, Churchill is reported to have said “Those who never change their minds, never change anything.”
We all need to use whatever traits we have to our best advantage. And we need to work to develop schools and workplaces that compensate for behaviours that can be less successful while developing each person’s strengths. It’s important to recognize ADHD, in adults as well as children, to help them achieve the success they deserve in today’s world.
References:
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
What to know about untreated ADHD in adults – Medical News Today
14 Signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – Healthline
Causes of and Risk Factors for ADHD—Healthline
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