What is Adult ADHD?
ADHD is estimated to affect about 8 million adults in the United States. Studies suggest that between 30% and 70% of children with ADHD continue to have symptoms as adults, and that while the cause is unknown, there appears to be a genetic link between family members.
ADHD in adults is a real, yet treatable, neurobehavioral condition. Common characteristics of ADHD include inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive behaviors. Adults with ADHD can experience one of these symptoms, while others may experience all of them. The symptoms of ADHD can impact everyday life—at home, at work, and socially.
ADHD is thought to be a biological condition that affects certain types of brain functioning. The exact cause of ADHD is still unknown, but scientists have focused their research on the brain's chemical messengers dopamine and norepinephrine. These messengers are believed to play a role in behaviors like attention and movement.
Over the years, the term "Attention Deficit Disorder" or "ADD" has been used to describe the condition. While some still refer to it as ADD, this term is no longer in widespread use. ADHD is the clinical term most medical experts use today as it most accurately describes all aspects of the condition.
One of the common misconceptions about ADHD is that it occurs only in children. But the truth is ADHD can affect people of all ages—children, adolescents, and adults. The condition affects both men and women, including adults from all races and cultural backgrounds.
Much like height or eye color, ADHD can be inherited. In fact, ADHD has the highest rate of heritability among all neurobiological conditions. Studies suggest that 76% of ADHD is linked to family genetics. So the condition is more common among people who have a close relative with ADHD. Interestingly, many adults don't even realize they have ADHD until their own child is diagnosed with ADHD. They become aware of a correlation between some of their behaviors and the symptoms of the condition.
Many successful adults have ADHD, including CEOs and Olympic athletes. ADHD doesn't have to hold you back; its symptoms can be effectively managed with medical treatments like CONCERTA®(methylphenidate HCl) as part of a total treatment program. If you've been diagnosed with ADHD, ask your healthcare professional about managing the everyday challenges of ADHD with CONCERTA®.
Related Links: ADHD Signs & Symptoms >> How is ADHD Diagnosed? >> ADHD Family Link
How is Adult ADHD Diagnosed?
Here are some initial steps to follow to identify whether or not you may have ADHD:
- Seek a medical evaluation
- Complete the Adult ADHD Screener as a way to find out if you have ADHD
- Share the results with a doctor experienced in diagnosing and treating ADHD
Most adults experience inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive behaviors from time to time. You misplace your keys. Get distracted at work. Every once in a while you may even blurt out something you didn't mean to say. But, for adults with ADHD, these symptoms appear more often, which can create difficulties managing day-to-day responsibilities.
The reality is many adults don't even know they have ADHD. Only 25% of adults with ADHD were diagnosed as children. Some seek professional help for depression or anxiety and find out they have ADHD. Adults with ADHD may have other conditions in addition to ADHD.
Often, adults first recognize the signs and symptoms of ADHD in themselves when their child is diagnosed. ADHD has been linked to family genetics. Studies have shown that 17% to 44% of fathers of children with ADHD also have ADHD. And 11% to 38% of mothers of children with ADHD also have the condition.
There's no single laboratory test used to determine an ADHD diagnosis. Rather, your healthcare professional will likely follow a standardized ADHD checklist. You may be asked questions about your family's medical history, as well as your past and present experiences at school, work, and in social settings.
For some adults, being diagnosed with ADHD can bring a sense of relief. They can begin to see the connection between their behavior and the symptoms of the condition. And they understand that their symptoms can be significantly improved with the right diagnosis and treatment.
Think you may have ADHD? Take the Adult ADHD Screener. Then share your results with a healthcare professional experienced in diagnosing and treating ADHD. Download the Doctor's Discussion Guide here for an additional resource when visiting your healthcare professional.
The sooner you get an evaluation and an ADHD diagnosis, the faster you can start effectively managing your symptoms. Treatment with CONCERTA®(methylphenidate HCl) can help you get on the path to everyday success in managing ADHD symptoms.
Related Links: ADHD Signs & Symptoms >> How is ADHD Diagnosed? >> ADHD Family Link
Adult ADHD Treatment Options
Adults can successfully manage their ADHD symptoms with the right treatment. To do so takes a comprehensive approach. This includes prescription medicine and behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can include support groups, counseling, and changes you make in how you go about your daily life.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD, your healthcare professional may prescribe a medication to meet your needs. There is no cure for ADHD, and no one treatment is right for everyone. So your healthcare professional will tailor a treatment plan, weighing the benefits and risks of each treatment with your personal medical history.
To date, the medications most commonly prescribed to treat ADHD are from a class of drugs called stimulants. Stimulants can dramatically improve ADHD symptoms like inattention and hyperactivity. These include methylphenidate and amphetamines. Since 1960, doctors have been prescribing stimulants to treat ADHD.
Stimulants are believed to enhance the availability of the brain's chemical messengers dopamine and norepinephrine. These messengers play a role in behaviors like attention and movement.
ADHD medications are typically available in short and long-acting formulations. The short-acting forms can last up to 4 hours. Long-acting forms, like CONCERTA®, are time-released to deliver medication throughout the day. Many experts believe that ADHD medication is most effective when used everyday to encourage healthy habits like planning and discipline.
Adult ADHD-Signs and Symptoms
The core ADHD symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity behavior are the same for adults as for children. But these symptoms are often more subtle in adults. Hyperactivity, in particular, is generally less common in adults. While children with ADHD may be in constant motion, adults are more likely to have trouble relaxing.
Approximately 60% of people who had ADHD symptoms as a child continue to have symptoms as adults. And only one in 4 adults with ADHD were diagnosed in childhood—and even fewer are treated. Over the years, some adults may have developed strategies to work around their daily challenges in different areas of life.
All people display ADHD symptoms from time to time. So the guidelines for diagnosing an adult with ADHD are very specific. The symptoms must persist from childhood and create everyday challenges. ADHD symptoms must cause significant difficulty in at least 2 areas of life, such as school, home, work, or social settings.
Common signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults include:
- Poor concentration
- Short attention span
- Disorganized
- Forgetful
- Difficulty starting and/or finishing projects
- Jump from one task to another
- Time-management issues
- Make impulsive decisions
- Difficulty interacting with others
Not every person with ADHD has every symptom, or experiences the severity of ADHD symptoms to the same degree. The symptoms of ADHD can make it difficult to focus on day-to-day responsibilities. ADHD can even make interacting with others more challenging.
If you think you may have symptoms of ADHD, create a customized Doctor Discussion Guide then schedule an evaluation with a healthcare professional. If you're diagnosed with ADHD, ask if treatment with CONCERTA® may be right for you.
Related Links: ADHD Signs & Symptoms >> How is ADHD Diagnosed? >> ADHD Family Link
Adult ADHD Resources
The more you know about ADHD, the better you can manage it. When you understand how ADHD affects your life, you can start developing strategies to manage the everyday challenges you face—at work, home, and socially.
Here are some helpful resources you can use for education and support:
www.concerta.net ADHD Support Center— visit www.concerta.net for more information.
ADD.org— The Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) is a leading ADHD organization.
www.add.org
CHADD.org— Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) is a national nonprofit organization that provides advocacy and support for people with ADHD.
chadd.org
NIMH.NIH.gov—The National Institute of Mental Health provides useful information about ADHD in children, adolescents and adults.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-in-adults.shtml
ADDitude Magazine— Stay on top of the latest information about ADHD in children, adolescents and adults.
http://www.additudemag.com/channel/adult-add-adhd/index.html
CONCERTA® is a prescription product approved for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as part of a total treatment program that may include counseling or other therapies.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Talk to your healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. Only a healthcare professional can decide whether medication is right for you or your child.
CONCERTA® should not be taken by patients who have: allergies to methylphenidate or other ingredients in CONCERTA®; significant anxiety, tension, or agitation; glaucoma; tics, Tourette's syndrome, or family history of Tourette's syndrome; current or past use of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI); esophagus, stomach, or intestinal narrowing. Children under six years of age should not take CONCERTA®.
Abuse of methylphenidate may lead to dependence. Tell your healthcare professional if you or your child has had problems with alcohol or drugs; has had any heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure, or a family history of these problems; has had depression, abnormal thoughts or visions, bipolar disorder, or seizure. Contact your healthcare professional immediately if you or your child: develops abnormal thinking or hallucinations, abnormal or extreme moods and/or excessive activity; or if aggressive behavior or hostility develops or worsens while taking CONCERTA®. Your child's healthcare professional should check height and weight often and may interrupt CONCERTA® treatment if your child is not growing or gaining weight as expected.
Stimulants may impair the ability of the patient to operate potentially hazardous machinery or vehicles. Caution should be used accordingly until you are reasonably certain that CONCERTA® does not adversely affect your ability to engage in such activities.
The most common adverse reaction (>5%) reported in children and adolescents was upper abdominal pain. The most common adverse reactions (>10%) reported in adults were dry mouth, nausea, decreased appetite, headache, and insomnia.
See full U.S. Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for CONCERTA®.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
