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If you’ve been diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it’s important to know that you’re not alone. In fact, many adults and school-age children in the United States have ADHD.

Although having ADHD may present certain challenges at home, at work, or in school, it's important to partner with your healthcare provider to discuss available strategies to help manage these areas of life.

Fast facts

Adult ADHD Is More Common Than You May Think
ADHD affects approximately 3.4% of all adults around the world
Approximately 8.8% of adults were diagnosed with ADHD for the first time in adulthood vs earlier reports of 2.5%-5.0%
Approximately 4.4% of adults ages 18-44 have been diagnosed with ADHD
Approximately 4.6% of adults have persistent ADHD (childhood onset with symptoms continuing into adulthood)
ADHD Is Not Just Seen in Kids
In more than 75% of cases, ADHD symptoms continue from childhood into adulthood
Globally, millions of new cases of symptomatic and persistent ADHD have been reported in adults ages 18-44
Adult ADHD may impact a variety of areas:
  • At home
  • At work
  • At school
  • In relationships
ADHD Affects People Differently

According to the DSM-5*, the 3 main sub-types or “presentations” of ADHD are:

Predominantly Inattentive: has difficulty paying attention
Hyperactive-Impulsive: has an extremely high level of energy or restlessness; moves and talks too much; acts without thinking or has difficulty with self-control
Combined: has symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity

*DSM-5: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition.

Symptoms of Predominantly Inattentive ADHD Include:

  • Failing to pay close attention to details or making careless mistakes
  • Having difficulty sustaining attention
  • Not appearing to listen
  • Struggling to follow through with instructions
  • Having difficulty with organization
  • Avoiding or disliking tasks requiring sustained mental effort
  • Losing things
  • Being easily distracted
  • Being forgetful in daily activities

Symptoms of Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD Include:

  • Fidgeting with hands or feet or squirming in chair
  • Having difficulty remaining seated
  • Running about or excessively climbing in children; extreme restlessness in adults
  • Difficulty engaging in activities quietly
  • Acting as if driven by a motor (adults will often feel this way inside)
  • Talking excessively
  • Blurting out answers before questions have been completed
  • Difficulty waiting or taking turns
  • Interrupting or intruding upon others

Symptoms of Combined ADHD include:

  • The individual meets the criteria for both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD presentations
ADHD Symptoms Can Present Differently Throughout The Lifespan
ADHD Affects Both Men and Women—But it May Not Look the Same
ADHD in women and men
ADHD Has Its Challenges and Strengths
Neurodiversity is an idea that there are differences in how the brain develops and processes information
Neurodiversity recognizes that patients with ADHD may have a variety of work-related challenges, as well as strengths
Work-related challenges and strengths in people with ADHD
Challenges
  • Time management
  • Concentration, attention, and self-regulation difficulties
  • Maintaining employment
  • Difficulty with teamwork
Strengths
  • Creative thinking
  • Hyperfocus
  • Visual-spatial reasoning ability
  • Passion
  • Courage
Possible Accommodations
  • Executive functions coaching
  • Assistive technology and tools; work station adjustments
  • Training
  • Supervisor or coworker support
  • Schedule flexibility
ADHD Can Be Managed Through a Variety of Approaches

Medication can be an important part of ADHD treatment, as it can help to control symptoms such as staying on task and paying attention. While there is no “cure” for ADHD, it can be managed through a variety of approaches that should also include careful monitoring and follow-up with your healthcare provider. ADHD management options may include:

Stimulant medications:

The most common treatment option for ADHD

Available in a variety of long- and short-acting formulations, including:

  • Capsules
  • Tablets
  • Pills
  • Liquid
  • Chewables
  • Transdermal patch
Nonstimulant medications:

Available in:

  • Capsules
  • Tablets
  • Liquid
Psychosocial therapy

An important addition to medication for patients with ADHD that can help behaviors, provide organization and time-management strategies, and teach coping skills

May include:

  • Cognitive behavior therapy
  • Dialectical behavior therapy
  • Coaching
  • Exercise
  • Meditation
Combined approaches

Studies have shown that effective treatment for ADHD may include a combined approach that includes both medication and therapy

References

References:

1. CHADD. About ADHD – overview. Accessed May 16, 2024. https://chadd.org/about-adhd/overview/

2. CHADD. Overview. Accessed June 24, 2024. https://chadd.org/for-adults/overview/

3. CHADD. General prevalence of ADHD. Accessed May 15, 2024. https://chadd.org/about-adhd/general-prevalence/

4. Fayyad J, De Graaf R, Kessler R, et al. Cross-national prevalence and correlates of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Br J Psychiatry. 2007;190(5):402-409. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.106.034389

5. Jain R, Jain S, Montano CB. Addressing diagnosis and treatment gaps in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2017;19(5):17nr0215. doi: 10.4088/PCC.17nr02153

6. Song P, Zha M, Yang Q, et al. The prevalence of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health. 2021;11:04009. doi: 10.7189/jogh.11.04009

7. National Institute of Mental Health. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Reviewed September 2023. Reviewed September 2023. Accessed May 15, 2024. https://www.nimh.nih.go/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd

8. American Psychiatric Association. DSM-5-T update. Supplement to diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition, text revision. 2023. Accessed May 15, 2024. https://www.psychiatry.org/getmedia/eecccfbe-91de-4171-b7ba-8d6c1aae3d11/APA-DSM5TR-Update-September-2023.pdf

9. Holthe MEG, Langvik E. The strives, struggles, and successes of women diagnosed with ADHD as adults. SAGE Open. 2017;7(1):1-12. doi:10.1177/2158244017701799

10. Quinn PO, Madhoo M. A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3):PCC.13r01596. doi: 10.4088/PCC.13r01596

11. Doyle N. Neurodiversity at work: a biopsychosocial model and the impact on working adults. Br Med Bull. 2020;135(1):108-125. doi:10.1093/bmb/ldaa021

12. Canela C, Buadze A, Dube A, et al. Skills and compensation strategies in adult ADHD – a qualitative study. PLoS One. 2017;12(9):e0184964. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0184964

13. National Institute of Mental Health. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: what you need to know. Revised 2021. Accessed May 15, 2024. https://ww.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-in-children-and-teens-what-you-need-to-know

14. Geffen J, Forster K. Treatment of adult ADHD: a clinical perspective. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(1):25-32. doi: 10.1177/2045125317734977

15. Young JL, Goodman DW. Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnosis, management, and treatment in the DSM-5 era. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2016;18(6). doi:10.4088/PCC.16r02000

16. CHADD. ADHD medications approved by the US FDA. Published January 2023. Accessed May 15, 2024. https://chadd.org/about-adhd/adhd-medications-approved-by-the-us-fda/

17. Manos, MJ. Psychosocial therapy in the treatment of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Postgraduate Med. 2013;125(2):51-64. https://doi.org/10.3810/pgm.2013.03.2641

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