Managing your priorities, at work or at home, is a symptom of ADHD.
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Though once considered a phase that kids just grew out of,
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is now recognized as a condition that can plague people of any age. When adults have ADHD, it can affect their jobs, their marriages and family life, and even their finances. The good news? It's never too late for treatment.
"In our practice, we see ADHD patients ages 16 to 65," says David W. Goodman, the director of the Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Center of Maryland and an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Most, if not all, of his patients elect to try
medication, Dr. Goodman adds. Why bother treating older patients who have lived their whole lives with ADHD? "Because everyone is entitled to see how much better they can function when relieved of
ADHD symptoms."
The following information from our
A-Z Health Library describes common symptoms and warning signs of adult ADHD.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in an adult is often not noticed because the person may maintain
relationships and hold a steady job. It is not unusual for a parent to discover
he or she has ADHD when his or her child is diagnosed with the disorder. The
key to the diagnosis of ADHD for an adult is the presence of symptoms before he
or she was 7 years old.
Hyperactivity in
adults is often seen as:
- Fidgeting. Typically they swing their legs, shift
in their seats, or tap their fingers.
- Constant motion. They feel
“revved up,” on the go, and show little or no ability to relax until
exhausted.
- An inability to relax. They have difficulty trying to
relax or to do quiet activities such as reading or watching television.
Inattention in adults is often seen
as:
- Difficulty completing tasks that they do not find
interesting or easy. But these adults may become obsessed with activities that
are interesting and enjoyable.
- Difficulty maintaining
relationships.
- Difficulty focusing their attention on
conversations, reading materials, or jobs. They may frequently move from one
job to another.
- Forgetfulness, misplacement, or loss of
things.
- Distractibility.
- Impulsivity.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults may affect:
- Job performance. Their work performance may be
inconsistent because they have problems organizing their work, managing their
time, and concentrating on one task at a time. They may be forgetful and
misplace or lose things. They may quit their jobs out of
boredom.
- Personal relationships. Relationships may suffer for
adults who have problems focusing their attention on conversations, “reading”
the behavior and moods of others, and expressing their own
feelings.
- Temper. Becoming easily frustrated often is related to
having difficulty tolerating stress. These adults may overreact and have a
short, quick temper.
- Problem-solving ability. Adults who have
difficulty waiting for things they want may not be able to accurately foresee
the consequences of their actions. As a result, they may engage in risky
behaviors, such as unprotected sex, unsafe driving, alcohol and drug use, or
unwise financial ventures.
Last Updated: April 17, 2008 