Allison Burk takes medication to manage ADHD. She was diagnosed with the condition as an adult, which resolved years of unanswered questions about issues with focus and impulsivity that affected every area of her life. (Credit: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center)
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, is often considered to be a condition that affects children. However, more adults are coming to the realization that their difficulties with attention, focus, and restlessness might be due to undiagnosed ADHD. This increased awareness is partly thanks to the popularity of social media videos that have garnered millions of views.
According to a new national survey of 1,000 American adults commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine, 25% of adults now suspect that they may have undiagnosed ADHD. However, only 13% of the survey respondents have shared their suspicions with their doctor. This has raised concerns among mental health experts.
That’s raising concerns about the consequences of self-diagnosis leading to incorrect treatment.
“Anxiety, depression, and ADHD can often appear similar, but providing the wrong treatment can exacerbate the situation rather than improving the individual’s well-being and functionality,” stated psychologist Justin Barterian, PhD, who serves as a clinical assistant professor at Ohio State’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral l Health.
An estimated 4.4% of people ages 18 to 44 have ADHD, and some people aren’t diagnosed until they’re older, Barterian said.
“There is definitely more awareness of how ADHD can continue to affect individuals into adulthood. Many people are realizing, once their kids have been diagnosed, that they also exhibit these symptoms, as it is a genetic disorder,” Barterian said.
The survey found that younger adults are more likely to believe they have undiagnosed ADHD than older generations, and they’re also more likely to do something about it.
Barterian said that should include seeing a medical professional, usually their primary care provider, to receive a referral to a mental health expert to be thoroughly evaluated, accurately diagnosed and effectively treated.
“If you’re watching videos on social media and it makes you think that you may meet criteria for the disorder, I would encourage you to seek an evaluation from a psychologist or a psychiatrist or a physician to get it checked out,” Barterian said.
What is Adult ADHD?
Adults struggling with ADHD will have problems with paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that are severe enough to cause ongoing challenges at school, work and home. These symptoms are persistent and disruptive and can often be traced back to childhood.
Adult ADHD occurs in:
- Adults who were diagnosed as children, but symptoms continue into adulthood.
- Adults who are diagnosed for the first time, despite experiencing symptoms since they were younger that had been ignored or misdiagnosed.
Hyperactivity as a symptom is typically less present in adults than in children. Many adults with ADHD struggle with memory and concentration issues. Symptoms of ADHD often worsen with stress, conflict or increased demands in life.
What are common types of ADHD?
The three types of ADHD are:
- Inattentive ADHD – Inability to pay attention and distractibility. This also is known as attention-deficit disorder (ADD).
- Hyperactive and impulsive ADHD – Hyperactivity and impulsivity.
- Combined ADHD – This type causes inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
ADHD can be challenging to diagnose in adults because some symptoms overlap with those of other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety.
“Symptoms of ADHD can look different between different people,” Barterian said. “Some people might have more difficulty focusing on lectures or with organization, while others may have more social difficulties with impulsivity and trouble following along in conversations.”