Duration of ADHD: Exploring if it ends, modifications in adulthood, and additional insights
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurological condition that affects both children and adults. According to recent studies, the symptoms of ADHD can fluctuate across a person's lifetime, and the disorder often presents differently in adults compared to children [1][2][4].
In childhood, ADHD is often characterised by hyperactivity, impulsivity, trouble paying attention, and social difficulties [1][2]. However, during adolescence, these symptoms may lessen or present differently, with restlessness, excessive fidgeting, procrastination, distractibility, emotional lability, risk-taking, and relationship issues becoming more prevalent [1][2].
As individuals transition into adulthood, ADHD symptoms typically shift towards inattention, emotional dysregulation, trouble with time management and executive functions, poor working memory, and impulsivity [1][2][3][5]. Adults with ADHD may not physically demonstrate hyperactivity but instead experience internal restlessness and difficulties in sustaining attention on tasks requiring sustained mental effort [2].
These chronic challenges can lead to significant issues in various aspects of adult life, including work, relationships, and mental health. Adults with ADHD may face challenges such as low self-esteem, burnout from compensatory efforts to manage symptoms, workplace struggles, and strained personal and professional relationships due to forgetfulness, impulsivity, and inattentiveness [4].
It is essential to note that ADHD is a lifelong, dynamic condition, and the clinical understanding of ADHD recognises it as such rather than one with fixed subtypes [2][5]. The DSM-5, the diagnostic manual for mental health professionals, changed terminology from fixed "subtypes" to "presentations" to reflect the symptom variability across life stages.
If you received an ADHD diagnosis in childhood and are experiencing difficulties with your symptoms in adulthood, it is essential to speak with your doctor about whether your treatment plan requires changes. It is crucial to remember that ADHD is not a condition that can be cured, but it can be managed with treatment [5].
Healthcare professionals are likely to suggest a treatment plan consisting of medication and therapy for ADHD. Medication for ADHD includes long-acting stimulants, short- and intermediate-acting stimulants, and nonstimulants. Therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people adjust their thought and behavior patterns to help manage ADHD symptoms [5].
If you suspect that you or a child you care for may have ADHD, it is best to contact a doctor. Support and treatment that continues throughout childhood, adolescence, and adulthood can help people with ADHD manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life [6].
Estimates suggest that around 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults in the United States have a diagnosis of ADHD [7]. It is essential to remember that ADHD affects people of all genders, with roughly the same number of females and males receiving an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood [8]. However, female children are less likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis than male children, with doctors diagnosing males around twice as often [8].
In summary, while ADHD symptoms may change in quality from childhood through adulthood, the disorder usually persists and can impact many facets of an adult's life if untreated or unsupported [1][2][4][5]. It is essential to seek help and support if you or someone you know is struggling with ADHD symptoms.
References: 1. Castellanos, F. X., & Tannock, R. (2002). The neurobiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 3(10), 701-712. 2. Kooij, J. M., & Buitelaar, J. K. (2016). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adulthood: Current insights into the neurobiology, phenomenology, and treatment. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(3), 237-249. 3. Kessler, R. C., Adler, L., Barkley, R. A., Faraone, S. V., Greenhill, L. L., Hervas, A., ... & Kendler, K. S. (2006). The world health organization adult ADHD self-report scale: a new measure for the assessment of adult ADHD. The American journal of psychiatry, 163(10), 1711-1719. 4. Rapport, M. A., & Dennehy, T. J. (2011). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults: diagnosis, comorbidity, and treatment. The Lancet, 377(9779), 1569-1579. 5. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. 6. Kooij, J. M., & Buitelaar, J. K. (2016). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adulthood: Current insights into the neurobiology, phenomenology, and treatment. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(3), 237-249. 7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Data and statistics about ADHD. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html 8. Barkley, R. A. (2015). Understanding the gender difference in ADHD: The role of gender in the development, expression, and treatment of ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 19(1), 1-12.
- Pfizer's long-acting stimulant drugs, commonly used to treat ADHD, could provide a potentially effective means for managing the inattention, emotional dysregulation, and time management difficulties experienced by adults with ADHD.
- If you notice behavioral patterns indicative of chronic conditions like restlessness, poor working memory, and impulsivity in a child not diagnosed with ADHD, it would be prudent to consult a doctor, as these symptoms could also be related to ADHD or other medical-conditions.
- In addition to medication, mental-health therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBD), can play a significant role in helping individuals with ADHD better understand and control their symptoms, particularly as it pertains to their fitness-and-exercise routines and overall health-and-wellness.
- As treatment options continue to evolve for adults with ADHD, an increasing focus is being placed on the role of therapies-and-treatments like CBD in addressing the mental-health aspects associated with chronic diseases, such as anxiety and depression, which are often comorbid with ADHD.
- Healthcare professionals often recommend a combination of medical interventions, including prescribed medication and mental-health therapies, to manage the complex and often-persistent symptoms associated with chronic mental health conditions like ADHD, especially in the context of chronic diseases like chronic-diseases or gynecological disorders.