Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder—commonly known as ADHD—is a developmental disorder frequently associated with children, but it often carries into adulthood. About 7 million children¹ and 10 million adults² have been diagnosed with ADHD.
Because ADHD is now understood to affect someone’s entire life rather than growing out of it,³ it’s more important than ever to understand the disorder and learn how to healthily manage the symptoms.
How do I know if I have ADHD?
With no known cause for ADHD (the most common factors considered in research are family history and environmental exposure to harmful pollutants⁴), it can be hard to separate your ADHD symptoms from other concerns. The first step is knowing the types of ADHD you could have and what they look like.
Types of ADHD
Adults with ADHD can fall into three categories, and this may be different from how the disorder presented when they were children.
Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
Hyperactive-impulsive presentation of ADHD was first documented in 1902⁵ and until somewhat recently was assumed by many professionals to be the only presentation. The signs are much more visible to others, especially in children who experience ADHD in this way. Symptoms can include: ⁶
Feelings of restlessness or impulse for movement in inappropriate situations
Frequent fidgeting or inability to stay seated
Excessive talking and a tendency to interrupt
Inattentive Presentation
Inattentive presentation can be less noticeable compared to hyperactive-impulsive ADHD—people notice a child climbing a tree or an adult that constantly interrupts. However, they may not recognize staring off into space or constantly losing things as ADHD symptoms. Inattentive presentation can look like: ⁶
Inability to stay focused on a task or conversation
Difficulty paying attention to details and finishing projects
Easily distracted, forgetful
Difficulty with organization and managing time (time blindness)
Avoidance of tasks that require more effort or take more time
Frequent loss of necessary objects, such as keys or glasses.
Girls are more likely to experience ADHD as the inattentive presentation, which is why experts think that ADHD was considered a disorder in boys historically. ADHD symptoms are currently still often ignored, though diagnosis of adult women has increased to a point where the prevalence of the disorder is about the same as that of adult men. ⁷
Combined Presentation
Combined presentation of ADHD is like it sounds—a person can exhibit signs of both hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive ADHD. ⁸
ADHD and Coexisting Disorders
If you have ADHD, you are more likely than not to have another coexisting condition. More than two-thirds of people with ADHD have a neurodevelopmental disorder, behavioral disorder, mood disorder, other disorders, or some combination. Some disorders show up more often than others, including these that show up in roughly half the cases of ADHD: ⁹
Learning Disorder
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Sleep Disorder
Other common disorders to coexist are anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, autism, and Tourette syndrome. The signs of ADHD can draw attention from these other disorders¹⁰, or the symptoms of the other disorders could delay a diagnosis of ADHD. For example, women who ask for an evaluation for ADHD often are diagnosed with depression or anxiety before ADHD. ⁷
ADHD Diagnosis
There are many tools online now that offer to test for ADHD, and social media has made the symptoms of ADHD more well-known to many who are undiagnosed. Though acknowledging that you may have ADHD can help you on a path to managing the signs you’re exhibiting, only a qualified professional can diagnose the disorder. ⁶
Getting an official diagnosis for ADHD can be tricky in general and especially complicated for adults. There isn’t any one test for providers to use, but they do have guidelines known as the DSM-5 to help. This standard requires six or more symptoms of ADHD to be present in children 16 years or younger; for anyone 17 years or older, the requirement is five or more symptoms. ⁶
There is a requirement for symptoms to be shown by age 12, which makes diagnosis as an adult harder. Providers use clinical interviews, symptom and behavior reviews, psychological testing, and interviews with family and friends to make a diagnosis. ¹¹
How do I manage my ADHD?
Some symptoms of ADHD may be able to be addressed through self-education and using strategies to manage the disorder; other symptoms may need more professional help.
What can I do to manage my ADHD myself?
The first step in managing ADHD is recognizing which areas you struggle with most. It could be that you are an impulsive shopper, struggle to organize your home or work life, need help managing your time, or have difficulties connecting with those close to you. Once you identify your problem areas, you can work on addressing them.
Establishing routines with the use of to-do lists and schedules can help address many concerns related to ADHD. A healthy diet, regular exercise and sleep, and maintaining close connections can help manage symptoms, but all of those require a routine, and getting started is often the biggest hurdle for those with ADHD. Splitting tasks into smaller ones can help address symptoms of restlessness and inattention. Rewarding yourself when completing tasks is a great tool to stay motivated. Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) has a lot of useful guides and resources for specific concerns that may come up as an adult.
What are my options for professional help?
Doctors often prescribe stimulant medications for those with a diagnosis of ADHD. These medications can help increase a person’s attention span and lower feelings of restlessness and impulsivity. ¹² However, they do not cure ADHD but help deal with the symptoms. CHADD describes ADHD medication as “not like an antibiotic that may cure a bacterial infection, but more like eyeglasses that help to improve vision only during the time the eyeglasses are actually worn.” ¹³
Therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is another treatment option. CBT has been used to treat some coexisting conditions and has recently been developed specifically for those with ADHD. This type of therapy can regulate emotions, impulses, and stress; when used to treat people with ADHD as well as anxiety or depression, it could be particularly effective. ¹⁴
A newer type of professional assistance is ADHD coaching, which can help adults address their symptoms in relation to their education or work. CHADD has lots of information on what to look for in a coach so you can identify if this is an area that would help you.
ADHD has gone through many names throughout the years and has negative connections in many people’s minds. With more understanding of how it impacts people—and just how many people are living with it—there is more help than ever to live a productive and happy life.
As with any medical condition, we encourage you to use your support system or family, friends, and medical professionals (like your pharmacy team!) to live your best life.
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