A trend worthy of celebration is the steady increase in the awareness of mental health issues — along with the move away from stigmatizing those who confront their issues. One example that parents in particular may recognize is the regular discussion of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Yes, more kids are being diagnosed with ADHD, but that does not necessarily mean that more kids are suffering from it than in years past. It may simply mean that the condition is more often recognized and acknowledged.

Building on that trend, recent research is indicating that ADHD is not confined to children. More and more adults are recognizing that they may be suffering from the disorder. Writing for Healthline, David Mills says, “Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates around 15.5 million adults in the United States have an ADHD diagnosis, half of whom were diagnosed during adulthood.

“Now, a new survey reveals that one in four adults in the U.S. believes they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and only about half of those people report their suspicions to their doctor.”

With so many adults suspecting they might have ADHD, the question arises: Why? Why do they think they have ADHD? Do they know what the symptoms are and recognize them in themselves? If this is the case, caution must be stressed. Self-diagnosing a complicated condition is never a good idea. ADHD symptoms can be very similar to those of anxiety or depression. Getting a correct diagnosis is a crucial first step in treatment.

One problem with diagnosing ADHD in adults is that people learn to cope as they get older. While hyperactivity often gets the attention of parents watching their child, that particular trait may lessen with age. But that doesn’t mean other symptoms — difficulty focusing or impulsivity — go away.

Mills provides a nice summary description of the disorder:

“ADHD is a neurodevelopment disorder that can cause unusual levels of hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors.

“Although it is not considered a learning disorder, symptoms from the condition can make it more difficult for a person to learn. There are three main types of ADHD. They are:

• “Predominately inattentive — in which a person has difficulty focusing, finishing tasks, and following instructions.
• “Predominately hyperactive-impulsive — in which a person shows impulsive behavior such as fidgeting, interrupting people, and not being able to wait their turn.
• “Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive — in which a person exhibits symptoms of both classifications of ADHD. This is the most common type of the condition.”

ADHD in an adult may cause problems with a person’s profession. It may also be the root of problems in a relationship. In one of our recent blog posts we discussed how it might create barriers to intimacy and cited Amen Clinics’ excellent overview of the issue.

Fortunately, treatments for ADHD are widely known and quite effective. Behavioral therapy is a common means of treatment, along with basic lifestyle changes that include simply adhering to a healthy diet, exercising more and getting the proper amount of sleep. If these alone are not enough, medications such as Ritalin and Adderall are sometimes prescribed.

As always, consulting with a doctor is almost always a good first step in dealing with suspected health issues, and self-diagnosis is not recommended.