Adult ADHD 101

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) causes disruption in every major area of life and while more children with the disorder are being identified and treated, adults are often overlooked.

Many stressed, overworked, and multitasking adults sometimes wonder if their forgetfulness and distractibility are side effects of a hectic lifestyle — or symptoms of adult ADHD.

Researchers believe that 4.4 percent, or roughly 9 million adults in the United States, have ADHD — a condition marked by problems with concentration, memory, and impulse control — and that the majority of them have not been diagnosed or treated.

However, while many adults at times feel unfocused and spaced out, people with ADHD have had symptoms since childhood that have caused major life disruptions — especially in school, work, and relationships.

"This is a disorder of chronic, long-standing, unchanging disorganization, inattention, and forgetfulness," said Dr. David Goodman, a psychiatrist and director of the Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Center in Baltimore, Maryland. "A lot of people don't know they have this condition and just kind of muddle through their lives."

ADHD Causes and Consequences

ADHD has a strong genetic component, and often it is only after their child is diagnosed that many adults realize their own struggles with mood swings, money and time management, and relationships are actually ADHD symptoms.

"There is no area of major life activity that is unaffected by ADHD," said Dr. Russell Barkley, a psychologist who specializes in the disorder and is currently a research professor at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University's department of psychiatry in Syracuse, New York.

Studies suggest that more than half the children with ADHD carry it into adulthood, where it affects men and women equally. The hyperactivity that characterizes the disorder in children appears to internalize and change into chronic mental restlessness, inattention, and disorganization in adults.

Adults with ADHD are more likely to have poor academic and work records. They tend to change jobs often and, as a result, may make less money than their peers. Relationship problems and divorce are more common. Alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use is higher. Traffic violations and accidents often pile up, and the risk for other disorders such as depression, anxiety, and antisocial disorder is increased.

Diagnosing Adult ADHD

There is not a single diagnostic test for adult ADHD, so your medical team will use a variety of tools to make sense of your symptoms and gauge the severity of day-to-day disruption they cause. They will also want to rule out things like mental illness, head injuries, hormone imbalances, substance abuse, or lead exposure, which can produce symptoms similar to ADHD.

Your doctor can refer you to medical professionals who are trained to diagnose ADHD. They include clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and clinical social workers. If you don't have a primary doctor, support groups can be a good source of referrals.

ADHD Treatments

Many prescription drugs used to treat childhood ADHD are effective treatments for adults, including those in the stimulant and antidepressant families of medications. In addition to the use of drug therapy, your doctor may recommend ways to reduce distractions in the workplace, the use of organizational tools, and cognitive training that can help build coping skills. An ADHD coach can also help individuals create and carry out organizational structure in their professional and personal lives.