Psychologist in print
Have you ever wondered if you have ADHD?
We all know about children and AHDH but the APS provides the following information about ADHD in adults.
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder characterised by difficulties with concentration, attention and impulse control which impact on the person’s day-to-day life.
Adults with ADHD often have difficulty concentrating for long periods of time, are easily distracted, or might act or speak before thinking things through. While we might all have these difficulties from time to time, people with ADHD have significant and ongoing difficulties in these areas, which can affect their broader lives, particularly their study, work and relationships.
About 2 to 3% of adults are diagnosed with ADHD.2 While ADHD begins in childhood and symptoms typically improve as children get older, about 15% continue to have ADHD as adults.2-4
Treatment varies according to the needs of the person. Those with mild ADHD without other developmental or mental health issues generally do well with a range of psychological strategies. Those with more difficult to manage symptoms or other mental health concerns often benefit from a combination of medication and psychological support.
Symptoms ADHD in adults
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder characterised by difficulties with concentration, attention and impulse control which impact on the person’s day-to-day life.
Adults with ADHD often have difficulty concentrating for long periods of time, are easily distracted, or might act or speak before thinking things through. While we might all have these difficulties from time to time, people with ADHD have significant and ongoing difficulties in these areas, which can affect their broader lives, particularly their study, work and relationships.
About 2 to 3% of adults are diagnosed with ADHD. While ADHD begins in childhood and symptoms typically improve as children get older, about 15% continue to have ADHD as adults.
Treatment varies according to the needs of the person. Those with mild ADHD without other developmental or mental health issues generally do well with a range of psychological strategies. Those with more difficult to manage symptoms or other mental health concerns often benefit from a combination of medication and psychological support.
Symptoms
The key signs and symptoms of ADHD cover two main areas of difficulty; inattention, and hyperactivity/impulsivity, although in adults hyperactivity and impulsivity may be less obvious.
Inattention
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty staying focused
- Forgetfulness
- Trouble organising tasks and activities
- Tendency to lose things.
Hyperactivity/ Impulsivity
- Fidgeting and restlessness
- Difficulty sitting for long periods of time
- Difficulty engaging in quiet activities
- Difficulty waiting for for a turn
- Acting or speaking before thinking things through.
For a person to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must currently have several symptoms, symptoms must have started before the age of 12, and difficulties must be present in two or more settings (such as at home and at work).
Symptoms that arise later in life are unlikely to be ADHD and should be assessed immediately.
There are three types of ADHD, depending on the main difficulties the person is experiencing. These are:
Predominantly inattentive: The person mostly has symptoms of inattention, rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive: The person mostly has symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, rather than inattention.
Combined: The person has symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
