ADHD and Adults

Vera Joffe, Ph.D.
(vjphdcr)
Copyright © 2001-present. All rights reserved.

ADHD and Adults

Dear Readers,

I would like to talk about ADHD and adults. A couple of weeks ago I gave a talk to the Adult Support Group for the CHADD organization (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder) in Coral Springs. Research has shown that up to 70 percent of children diagnosed with ADHD will continue to have symptoms that interfere with their life when they are adults. The symptoms of ADHD in adults are more "covered up" through challenges in personal relationships, organization issues, employment, mood conditions, substance abuse and other life difficulties.

More adults are being identified as having ADHD these days. People are more informed about the condition, and it is very common for parents to bring their children to my office for an evaluation, and to come to the conclusion that one of the parents needs to go through an evaluation (since ADHD is also a heavily genetic condition).

How do adults find out if they have ADHD? Adults who read the list of symptoms that qualify someone for the diagnosis of ADHD (appropriate for the age) may start asking the question: "Do I have ADHD?" The following are some symptoms that are commonly seen in adults with ADHD: "fails to give close attention to details and makes careless mistakes at work"; " does not listen when spoken to directly"; "has difficulty organizing tasks and activities"; "poor working memory"; "poor self-control"; "easily distracted"; "difficulty awaiting turn (impatient)"; "interrupts people constantly".

Just having some of the symptoms above does not qualify someone for the diagnosis of ADHD. Only physicians, and mental health professionals trained in the field can diagnose someone with ADHD (child or adult). If you think that you or an adult you know has some of the symptoms of ADHD, read more about it (from reliable and scientifically sounded sources), and then you may consult a professional to help you with your questions.

In order for someone to evaluate an adult for the possibility of ADHD, a very careful clinical interview needs to be completed. The trained professional needs to interview the adult in question, as well as significant others (parents, spouses, for instance) who know that adult well. Questionnaires are answered, and if possible, old report cards are reviewed also. I recently read several report cards that a 50-year old woman showed me: She had a good academic profile, but her behavior and attention were inappropriate, as well as her difficulty in organizing and completing homework assignments were clear throughout her academic life.

Another reason why it is so important to consult a mental health professional who is well trained in the clinical field is because ADHD is often present with other conditions, or it is masked by other disorders. For instance, adults often have ADHD with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or other conditions. It is also important to rule out other medical conditions that could be present with the common symptoms of ADHD.

Once an adult is correctly diagnosed with ADHD, he/she may choose to discuss the various medications with the doctor. Once that decision is made, it is usually recommended that psychotherapy is initiated. This should be recommended if the person has already developed a history of difficulty in employment, with relationships, and with personal habits that are impairing his/her life. I usually recommend couple's therapy if the person is married, because some of the symptoms of ADHD have a negative impact in the life of a couple and in the family in general.

Finally, there are very good support services in our area. The North Broward Adult Support Group of the CHADD organization meets once a month during the academic year. They also meet informally during the summer. If any reader is interested in the Adult or the Child Support Meetings, you may call Annette (the Chapter Coordinator) at (954)-753-3518. And for more information on ADHD in general, you can visit the CHADD Website at www.chadd.org.

[Return to List of Articles]