Understanding Adult ADHD

The diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder in adulthood is becoming more common.  When something becomes diagnosed more frequently, there is often a lot of question surrounding whether it is becoming more prevalent or if it is more recognized.  Previously, many thought that children eventually grew out of their symptoms of ADHD.  However, that assumption is now being seen that people simply learn to live with their symptoms of ADHD so that they are less noticeable or have less of an impact on daily functioning.

Adults receiving an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood rather than childhood typically present with concerns such as difficulty completing tasks, trouble with memory, impulsivity, symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, issues with relationships or an overall impairment of functioning and life satisfaction.  Sometimes we have clients that present to therapy questioning whether or not they have ADHD and other times we are presenting the concern to our clients.  Either way, it is important for clients to feel comfortable processing these issues with their therapist in order to gain an accurate diagnosis, understanding, and intervention.

Symptoms of Adult ADHD, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, are the same as that of Childhood ADHD.  Some differences to consider are that the presentation may look a bit different.  For example, for a child, they may present as “being driven by a motor” by having a hard time sitting still or being perpetually active.  For an adult, being driven by a motor may show up as trouble sleeping, restlessness, or fidgeting.  It takes a skilled clinician to help clients tease out some of these behaviors due to skills or “masking” type behaviors that have been developed over time in order to function.  Most people will be able to check a handful of the criteria, but it takes a certain number of them on a certain timeline to meet the diagnosis.

ADHD predominantly inattentive presentation

• Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes

• Has difficulty sustaining attention

• Does not appear to listen

• Struggles to follow through with instructions

• Has difficulty with organization

• Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort

• Loses things

• Is easily distracted

• Is forgetful in daily activities

ADHD predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation

• Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair

• Has difficulty remaining seated

• Runs about or climbs excessively in children; extreme restlessness in adults

• Difficulty engaging in activities quietly

• Acts as if driven by a motor; adults will often feel inside as if they are driven by a motor

• Talks excessively

• Blurts out answers before questions have been completed

• Difficulty waiting or taking turns

• Interrupts or intrudes upon others

ADHD combined presentation

• The individual meets the criteria for both inattention and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD presentations.

Age of onset is the number one area that helps a clinician to tease out if a client has ADHD in adulthood, or whether they have overlapping symptoms of ADHD with another mental health concern.  Inattention can be present with many diagnoses, including, but not limited to, Anxiety, PTSD, Depression, Bipolar, and more.  If you are experiencing symptoms of ADHD, but never experienced them in childhood (specifically before age 12), then you do not meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.  It can be helpful for Adults to include parents or partners in the interview process during diagnosis as they may provide insight that the client is unaware of.  

Women with adult ADHD can be even trickier to tease out.  Girls and women often present with more inattentive features and behaviors, and develop behaviors and strategies to reduce their presence or outward appearance.  Women are more likely to be treated for things such as anxiety or depression before the diagnosis of ADHD is considered.  However, the symptoms of anxiety and depression are likely caused by poor coping strategies of undiagnosed ADHD.  Often, mothers will learn that their child has ADHD and will then recognize the symptoms in themselves, prompting them to seek their own diagnosis.  

If you or someone you love may be experiencing Adult ADHD, therapeutic intervention can help to build strategies to reduce the impacts of symptoms.  Having an understanding of the diagnosis and implementing coping techniques can address the symptoms and improve overall functioning.  If you are an adult who is struggling with ADHD, and are considering therapy, please check out our list of providers.

If you are a parent of someone who is living with ADHD, consider signing up by clicking the button below for this parent intensive that Jessica Pippin is offering.