Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is usually diagnosed at a young age. But what happens if this disorder goes undiagnosed?
Undiagnosed ADHD in adulthood can cause problems at work, in relationships, and in daily life. It can leave adults feeling frustrated because they can’t seem to achieve their goals. Even small things, like remembering dinner plans, seem impossible.
Many people don’t seek adult ADHD treatment because they don’t even know they have it. We’ll tell you what signs and symptoms of Adult ADHD are and how you can get help for yourself or a loved one.
ADHD is a disorder that causes inattention, hyperactivity, or a combination of both. Since adults are better at hiding their “flaws”, it often goes undiagnosed. Some experts think about 75% of the adult population has undiagnosed ADHD.
Adult ADHD results in a lack or decline of executive function. Executive function is a collection of skills adults acquire for managing everyday behaviors. It consists of several key capabilities.
The importance of focus is something we learn as we grow into adulthood. Learning this skill begins in childhood with playground games, hobbies, and sports. As we enter higher education and the working world, our need for focus grows.
Adults with ADHD don’t have these critical attention control skills. They may become very easily distracted or so entirely focused that they get stuck on one thing.
Impulse control becomes a natural process as we get older. While children scream and cry to get candy, you rarely see adults doing the same. We learn the difference between wants and needs.
Having ADHD severely limits impulse control. Excessive spending, shopping addictions, and debt are common results. Another common negative effect is drug and alcohol abuse issues.
Mental flexibility is the ability to cycle through several different tasks or multitask. Children often lack this skill but develop it during the teen years to keep with schoolwork.
Most careers need some degree of mental flexibility, so lacking this skill can be disadvantageous. Adults with ADHD may feel overwhelmed by their workload. They may have trouble working in different teams or accepting change.
The ability to block out non-essential information is a blessing. Imagine trying to focus on tasks and constantly getting distracted by office conversation. Cognitive inhibition allows us to push past all the background noise to meet our goals.
Adults with ADHD may lack cognitive inhibition. They are often distracted by their environment and fail to finish projects on time. They may also experience issues in their daily life, from grocery shopping to schedule planning.
Working memory is our short-term memory. We’re able to store bits of recently acquired information for future use. Imagine what would happen if our working memory didn’t work.
You would forget your partner’s birthday, your dry cleaning, or whatever your boss just said to you. These small mistakes become very frustrating when they happen consistently. Adults with ADHD may experience this symptom daily.
ADHD occurs in three different forms: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. Combined ADHD is the most common, but also the least likely to be treated.
Adults with this type of ADHD tend to have trouble with focus and routine. Simple, daily tasks may seem impossible for them, so they procrastinate or ignore them.
Common issues that adults with this type of ADHD experience are:
This type of ADHD is easily diagnosed in children because their actions are more obvious. Adults are better at masking their hyperactive and impulsive tendencies.
Adults with this type of ADHD may experience some of these common problems:
If symptoms of the first two types are both present, you may have combined ADHD. Adults facing this type of ADHD have issues with impulse control and inattention.
The first step to a diagnosis is finding the right treatment facility. An ADHD specialist can be especially helpful for adults because symptoms are usually less overt.
The diagnosis process usually starts with an interview and symptom checklist. The clinician may ask you about your physical and behavioral health history. But this alone won’t usually result in an immediate diagnosis.
Oftentimes, there are also computerized tests and self-assessments involved. Computerized tests may check your ability to focus, recognize patterns, and block out external stimuli. Self-assessments can reveal symptoms that are more difficult to test.
Getting an adult ADHD diagnosis can take some time. There are often other behavioral health disorders that mimic the same symptoms. Clinicians need to rule out possibilities like depression, anxiety, or PTSD to get a proper diagnosis.
The criterion for adult ADHD is the presence of five or more symptoms for at least six months. Additionally, the symptoms must be severe enough to reduce the adult’s quality of life. Finally, the symptoms cannot be the cause of another behavioral health disorder.
There are many types of adult ADHD treatment techniques available. Most people use a combination of them to properly manage their symptoms.
Some adults with ADHD choose medicated treatment to relieve their symptoms. The most common medications for adult ADHD are stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin. Non-stimulant options can also be available.
Stimulants work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. The surge of dopamine produces more feelings of pleasure and motivation. Usually, an increase in attention and a decrease in hyperactivity follow.
Anti-depressants are sometimes prescribed for ADHD, especially if depression co-exists. An FDA-approved choice is Strattera. Rather than raising dopamine levels, it decreases levels of norepinephrine, a stress hormone.
But sometimes medication is not the right choice. If you have chronic illnesses or are at risk for certain diseases, these medications may cause complications.
Combination treatment is a traditional approach to adult ADHD. It relies on both medicine and therapy to help individuals manage their symptoms.
We know that ADHD symptoms can cause extreme frustration and feelings of failure. We also know that many adults remain undiagnosed. Alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes can often become coping mechanisms.
Alternatively, many adults have been living with ADHD since childhood. Over time, dependency on the same medication used to treat ADHD can turn into substance abuse. Approximately 25% of adults seeking addiction treatment also have ADHD.
Treating ADHD without accounting for the substance abuse issues would result in relapse. Focusing on the addiction without considering ADHD symptoms would continue the cycle.
Dual diagnosis treatment is a crucial step in helping adults with both ADHD and addiction. It focuses on the simultaneous treatment of both disorders to promote a complete sense of healing.
Learn more about co-occurring Adult ADHD and Addiction.
In psychology terms, a disorder is something that interrupts the normal function of the brain. Neurodiversity is a more positive name that celebrates the diversity of cognitive function.
Clinically, behavioral health professionals still use the word disorder. The DSM-5, which categorizes all mental disorders, also considers ADHD a cognitive disorder. It remains something many adults still seek treatment for.
But neurodiversity is a community-led initiative to focus on the positive traits of ADHD. For example, adults with ADHD are often more creative and intelligent. Their attention problems can result in hyperfocus, which can allow them to finish projects faster.
If you align more with the neurodivergent view, holistic and self-help options may be a good solution for managing symptoms. Psychotherapy is also a strong recommendation for symptom management.
Deanna Crosby is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over 20 years of experience working with clients in recovery. Her expertise has catapulted her into the spotlight. Featured on several episodes of the Dr. Phil Show as a behavioral health expert, DeAnna is a routine contributor for NBC News, The Huffington Post, Elle Magazine, MSN, Fox News, Yahoo, Glamour, Today, and several other prominent media outlets.
After receiving her bachelor’s degree from the University of California in Irvine, Crosby did postgraduate work at Centaur University where she graduated at the top of her class with a CAADAC certification in Centaur’s chemical dependency program. Following her time at Centaur, Crosby received her Master of Counseling Psychology degree from Pacifica Graduate Institute, where she also attained a Doctoral Degree in Depth Psychology.
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