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New Treatments and Drugs
What is attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) historically was considered to be a disease of childhood,
affecting 4 to 12 percent of school age children. It is now thought to persist into adult life in 10 to 60
percent of cases and is present in about 4.5 percent of adults [1, 2].
Signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults include difficulty getting started on tasks, variable attention to
details, difficulties with self-organization and with prioritization, and poor persistence in tasks that require
sustained mental effort. He or she may struggle with impulsiveness and low frustration tolerance.
Hyperactivity is unusual but the person may describe a sense of inner restlessness.
Many adults with ADHD have chaotic lifestyles or have trouble at work. They may rely on drugs or alcohol
to “get by,” and they also often have associated psychiatric disorders. They are more likely to have motor
vehicle accidents and receive citations for speeding. Adults with ADHD have four times the prevalence of
sexually transmitted diseases and have had more teenage pregnancies. Genetics plays a major role in
the development of ADHD, as do risk factors, such as exposure to cigarettes and alcohol during
pregnancy, low birth weight, and brain injuries.
ADHD is not an acquired disorder of adult life. To qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult one must
have had it as a child, although some of the symptoms of ADHD can occur in adults due to brain injuries or
other organic causes. Symptoms are present consistently since childhood and are not episodic.
Impairments in function are global, not selective, and are noticeable in all spheres of life to a greater or
lesser degree. Although adult ADHD is a relatively common disorder, only one third to one half of adults
who believe they have ADHD actually meet formal psychiatric diagnostic criteria.
The most common psychiatric conditions that may have overlapping symptoms with adult ADHD include
mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, antisocial personality disorder, borderline
personality disorder, developmental disabilities or mental retardation, and certain medical conditions.
A Three-dimensional approach to Helping the Adult with ADHD: Medication,
Education, and Psychotherapy
Medications for adult ADHD. Adult patients who respond to medications that are used in the treatment of
ADHD may expect enhanced attention, better academic performance, and facilitated working memory.
These medications can reduce psychomotor activity and decrease aggression and disruptive behavior;
however, residual symptoms may persist at a lower level.
Patient education. Information is an important tool in the treatment of ADHD in an adult. Educational
literature about ADHD should be handed out to patients, partners, and family members where appropriate,
and arrangements should be made to meet with partners or families separately to address their specific
problems and issues when needed.
When patient is explained that many of the problems he had experienced stemmed from a medical
disorder rather than “laziness” or character defects, his or her self-esteem is improved. Coping
strategies, such as making lists of things to do everyday, breaking up large assignments into small tasks,
using a calendar or computerized schedule to help plan and organize, working in a quiet area without
windows, and arriving at work before coworkers, can also have positive effect.
ADHD if there are associated personal issues, such as a sense of failure, low self esteem, frequent job
changes, or other disturbances in sense of identity or relationships with others that relate to the person’s
efforts to deal with ADHD symptoms.
What is attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) historically was considered to be a disease of childhood,
affecting 4 to 12 percent of school age children. It is now thought to persist into adult life in 10 to 60
percent of cases and is present in about 4.5 percent of adults [1, 2].
Signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults include difficulty getting started on tasks, variable attention to
details, difficulties with self-organization and with prioritization, and poor persistence in tasks that require
sustained mental effort. He or she may struggle with impulsiveness and low frustration tolerance.
Hyperactivity is unusual but the person may describe a sense of inner restlessness.
Many adults with ADHD have chaotic lifestyles or have trouble at work. They may rely on drugs or alcohol
to “get by,” and they also often have associated psychiatric disorders. They are more likely to have motor
vehicle accidents and receive citations for speeding. Adults with ADHD have four times the prevalence of
sexually transmitted diseases and have had more teenage pregnancies. Genetics plays a major role in
the development of ADHD, as do risk factors, such as exposure to cigarettes and alcohol during
pregnancy, low birth weight, and brain injuries.
ADHD is not an acquired disorder of adult life. To qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult one must
have had it as a child, although some of the symptoms of ADHD can occur in adults due to brain injuries or
other organic causes. Symptoms are present consistently since childhood and are not episodic.
Impairments in function are global, not selective, and are noticeable in all spheres of life to a greater or
lesser degree. Although adult ADHD is a relatively common disorder, only one third to one half of adults
who believe they have ADHD actually meet formal psychiatric diagnostic criteria.
The most common psychiatric conditions that may have overlapping symptoms with adult ADHD include
mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, antisocial personality disorder, borderline
personality disorder, developmental disabilities or mental retardation, and certain medical conditions.
A Three-dimensional approach to Helping the Adult with ADHD: Medication,
Education, and Psychotherapy
Medications for adult ADHD. Adult patients who respond to medications that are used in the treatment of
ADHD may expect enhanced attention, better academic performance, and facilitated working memory.
These medications can reduce psychomotor activity and decrease aggression and disruptive behavior;
however, residual symptoms may persist at a lower level.
Patient education. Information is an important tool in the treatment of ADHD in an adult. Educational
literature about ADHD should be handed out to patients, partners, and family members where appropriate,
and arrangements should be made to meet with partners or families separately to address their specific
problems and issues when needed.
When patient is explained that many of the problems he had experienced stemmed from a medical
disorder rather than “laziness” or character defects, his or her self-esteem is improved. Coping
strategies, such as making lists of things to do everyday, breaking up large assignments into small tasks,
using a calendar or computerized schedule to help plan and organize, working in a quiet area without
windows, and arriving at work before coworkers, can also have positive effect.
ADHD if there are associated personal issues, such as a sense of failure, low self esteem, frequent job
changes, or other disturbances in sense of identity or relationships with others that relate to the person’s
efforts to deal with ADHD symptoms.
Dr. Grohol's mental health site is one of the oldest popular site of its kind on the web.
It includes a directory of resources, detailed and accessible information about a wide
range of psychiatric disorders, and lots of links.
It includes a directory of resources, detailed and accessible information about a wide
range of psychiatric disorders, and lots of links.
Revitalizing Psychiatry
What's New