Adults diagnosed with ADHD have usually had persistent symptoms since childhood. Often, signs and symptoms of hyperactivity dissipate as the patient grows older, but he or she may continue to experience problems with inattention and impulse dyscontrol. There are several subtypes of ADHD based on the following three symptom clusters:
Inattention
- Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in daily activities
- Often has difficulties sustaining attention in tasks or work activities
- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
- Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish work, chores, or appropriate tasks of daily life
- Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
- Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
- Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
- Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
- Is often forgetful in daily activities
Hyperactivity
- Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
- Often leaves work setting or home setting while expected to stay in that setting
- Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations where it is inappropriate
- Often has difficulties interacting with others in a quiet leisurely way
- Is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”
- Talks excessively
Impulsivity
- Often blurts out answers or interrupts conversations before they have been completed
- Often has difficulty waiting turns
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others
- Often makes rash decisions without processing them
- May have unexplainable anger outbursts that do not match the situation at hand (verbal and/or physical).
Most adults with ongoing attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder fit criteria for the predominantly inattentive form. This usually affects the person at work or when he/she are doing some type of organized task or activity. Adult ADHD patients usually take medication during work hours and are able to deal with the symptoms outside of work without medication. Psychostimulant medications and other psychiatric medications are now available for the treatment of adult ADHD. Sometimes, working with a behavioral therapist can also be helpful in this area, although ADHD is mainly a biological disorder due to dysregulation of the brain chemical called dopamine.
