ADHD in Adolescents and Adults
ADHD inattention symptoms can be manifest many ways in young adults. These include:13
• Poor time management skills
• Avoiding tasks demanding attention
• Putting off tasks and activities (procrastination)
• Excessive multitasking leading to tasks being incomplete
• Problems with starting or completing tasks, or failure to switch tasks when indicated Needing to adapt a lifestyle to fit the limitations and assets of a short attention span Needing support staff or external structure for functioning
ADHD hyperactivity symptoms can be manifest many ways in young adults. These include:
• Experiencing a constant inner sense of restlessness
• Selecting a job or jobs that require working long hours, high levels of activity, or multiple tasks
• Avoiding jobs that require sedentary or low level activity
Family tension resulting from constant activity
ADHD symptoms of impulsiveness can be manifest many ways in young adults. These include:
• Becoming easily frustrated
• Changing one’s personal relationships or jobs frequently
• Difficulties with automobile driving leading to multiple traffic infractions or accidents
• Easily losing one’s temper
• Making hasty decisions
• Having low tolerance for stress
• Interrupting conversations, speaking out without thinking of the consequences
Research is ongoing to better understand the ways in which ADHD affects brain function and how to
best treat the condition. Other research is looking at the long-term outcomes for people with ADHD,
particularly regarding grade completion, social relationships, and success in the workplace. The more we learn about ADHD and its treatment and the more information we share with youth, the better the care and outcome of treatment that can be expected.
When can ADHD be diagnosed?
Most cases of ADHD are diagnosed when the child is 7 or 8 years old, but ADHD symptoms and impairment can be apparent as early as age 3-5, when the child is in preschool or kindergarten. Girls are
often identified later than boys. Bright children may not be diagnosed until later as they may compensate for their difficulties until school work gets more challenging. ADHD symptoms must be present for at least six months before a child can be diagnosed with ADHD, and symptoms should be present before age 12. For more information on ADHD changes, click here.
Why are more boys than girls diagnosed with ADHD?
Boys diagnosed with ADHD outnumber girls a little over two-to-one.
Some doctors think that almost as many girls have ADHD as boys,but they are not diagnosed as often, possibly because they are less disruptive and their symptoms may not become unmanageable until they are older.Girls may also develop the symptoms of ADHD at a later age than boys.Girls sometimes show symptoms of their ADHD in less obvious ways, such as being inattentive. Now that more health care professionals are aware of the unique ways ADHD affects girls and boys, more girls are being diagnosedand receiving treatment.
Why are more children being diagnosed with ADHD?
Research indicates that the increase in children diagnosed with ADHD is largely due to greater awareness and improved detection of the condition—including diagnosis of children who may have less
severe forms of ADHD. Now that more people know about ADHD and its symptoms, children as young
as age 4, and more adolescents, girls, and adults with this condition are being identified and treated.
Despite the rise in ADHD diagnoses, research studies show that ADHD can still be missed and that many children with ADHD are not diagnosed.
How does ADHD affect my child’s ability to form friendships?
Parents can help foster good friendships for their children by letting teachers, school counselors, and coaches know about problems that might develop, arranging one-on-one play dates, and encouraging
their children with ADHD to participate in school activities and peer-group programs. Medicine for ADHD can improve the way that children with ADHD relate to others.
What are some of the more common disorders that can accompany ADHD?
Two-thirds or more of children diagnosed with ADHD have at least one additional mental health or learning disorder during their lifetimes.
To ensure a complete and accurate diagnosis, your child’s doctor will look for other conditions that can accompany ADHD. Having more than one condition is called having co-existing (or comorbid) conditions.
Co-existing conditions can make diagnosing and treating ADHD more difficult. They also create more challenges for a child to overcome, so it is important to identify and treat these other conditions,
too. Some of the more common co-existing conditions with ADHD are oppositional defiant disorder, learning and language disorders, anxiety disorders, Tourette’s disorder, and depressive disorders. Studies indicate that half or more of children with ADHD also have oppositional defiant or conduct disorder.
Children with oppositional defiant disorder are often defiant toward authority--parents or teachers--and have a tendency to intentionally bother others, particularly other children or family members. Some children with ADHD have a conduct disorder. This is a serious psychiatric disorder in which the child regularly violates the rights of others by stealing, being physically aggressive, or destroying property. Children with a co-existing conduct disorder are at much higher risk for getting into trouble with the law or developing depression, becoming suicidal, and abusing substances than children with ADHD alone. The long-term outcome of the combination of ADHD and conduct disorder is poor.
Your child’s doctor may recommend counseling or therapy if your child has either oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder. Twenty to twenty-five percent of children with ADHD have a co-existing language or learning disorder.Children with these co-existing conditions can often benefit from academic interventions and speech and language therapy. Additionally, 33 percent of children with ADHD also have a problem with anxiety or depressive disorders.Children with these problems may benefit from additional treatment as well, including talk therapy, medication, or both. Among the more serious co-existing conditions that can occur with ADHD are mood disorders that include such symptoms as severe mood instability and agitation, elated mood, a sense of superiority, racing thoughts and speech, and less need for sleep. Many of these children seem highly irritable, overly sensitive, and reactive. They are often described as being on “an emotional roller coaster.” Only a health care professional trained to evaluate, diagnose and treat children with ADHD can determine whether your child’s behaviors are caused by ADHD, another condition, or co-existing disorders. A thorough assessment and an accurate diagnosis are essential to choosing the right treatments, including deciding which medication might benefit your child the most and which medication might make certain disorders worse.
What types of treatments are effective?
To help families make important decisions about treatment, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) began a large treatment study in 1992 called the Multi-modal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD (or the MTA study). Data from this 14-month study showed that stimulant medication is most effective in treating the symptoms of ADHD, as long as it is administered in doses adjusted for each child
to give the best response – either alone or in combination with behavioral therapy. This is especially true when the medication dosage is regularly monitored and adjusted for each child.
The MTA study, along with many other large-scale treatment studies that have assessed the safety and effectiveness of ADHD medications, provides evidence that stimulant medication reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity, improves attention, and increases the ability to get along with others. For this reason, stimulant medications remain the medications of first choice for treating individuals with ADHD. While medicine alone is a proven treatment for ADHD, the MTA study found that combining behavioral treatment with medicine was useful in helping families, teachers, and children learn ways to manage and modify the behaviors that cause problems at home and at school. In addition, some children receiving the combination of medication and behavioral therapy were able to take lower doses of
medicine.
Quazi Imam, M.D.
Board Certified in Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Addiction Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Geriatric Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Forensic Psychiatry.
Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry,Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist,Harvard Medical School Trained.
1833 W. Pioneer Parkway Tel: 682-323-4566 Arlington, Texas 76013
ADHD inattention symptoms can be manifest many ways in young adults. These include:13
• Poor time management skills
• Avoiding tasks demanding attention
• Putting off tasks and activities (procrastination)
• Excessive multitasking leading to tasks being incomplete
• Problems with starting or completing tasks, or failure to switch tasks when indicated Needing to adapt a lifestyle to fit the limitations and assets of a short attention span Needing support staff or external structure for functioning
ADHD hyperactivity symptoms can be manifest many ways in young adults. These include:
• Experiencing a constant inner sense of restlessness
• Selecting a job or jobs that require working long hours, high levels of activity, or multiple tasks
• Avoiding jobs that require sedentary or low level activity
Family tension resulting from constant activity
ADHD symptoms of impulsiveness can be manifest many ways in young adults. These include:
• Becoming easily frustrated
• Changing one’s personal relationships or jobs frequently
• Difficulties with automobile driving leading to multiple traffic infractions or accidents
• Easily losing one’s temper
• Making hasty decisions
• Having low tolerance for stress
• Interrupting conversations, speaking out without thinking of the consequences
Research is ongoing to better understand the ways in which ADHD affects brain function and how to
best treat the condition. Other research is looking at the long-term outcomes for people with ADHD,
particularly regarding grade completion, social relationships, and success in the workplace. The more we learn about ADHD and its treatment and the more information we share with youth, the better the care and outcome of treatment that can be expected.
When can ADHD be diagnosed?
Most cases of ADHD are diagnosed when the child is 7 or 8 years old, but ADHD symptoms and impairment can be apparent as early as age 3-5, when the child is in preschool or kindergarten. Girls are
often identified later than boys. Bright children may not be diagnosed until later as they may compensate for their difficulties until school work gets more challenging. ADHD symptoms must be present for at least six months before a child can be diagnosed with ADHD, and symptoms should be present before age 12. For more information on ADHD changes, click here.
Why are more boys than girls diagnosed with ADHD?
Boys diagnosed with ADHD outnumber girls a little over two-to-one.
Some doctors think that almost as many girls have ADHD as boys,but they are not diagnosed as often, possibly because they are less disruptive and their symptoms may not become unmanageable until they are older.Girls may also develop the symptoms of ADHD at a later age than boys.Girls sometimes show symptoms of their ADHD in less obvious ways, such as being inattentive. Now that more health care professionals are aware of the unique ways ADHD affects girls and boys, more girls are being diagnosedand receiving treatment.
Why are more children being diagnosed with ADHD?
Research indicates that the increase in children diagnosed with ADHD is largely due to greater awareness and improved detection of the condition—including diagnosis of children who may have less
severe forms of ADHD. Now that more people know about ADHD and its symptoms, children as young
as age 4, and more adolescents, girls, and adults with this condition are being identified and treated.
Despite the rise in ADHD diagnoses, research studies show that ADHD can still be missed and that many children with ADHD are not diagnosed.
How does ADHD affect my child’s ability to form friendships?
Parents can help foster good friendships for their children by letting teachers, school counselors, and coaches know about problems that might develop, arranging one-on-one play dates, and encouraging
their children with ADHD to participate in school activities and peer-group programs. Medicine for ADHD can improve the way that children with ADHD relate to others.
What are some of the more common disorders that can accompany ADHD?
Two-thirds or more of children diagnosed with ADHD have at least one additional mental health or learning disorder during their lifetimes.
To ensure a complete and accurate diagnosis, your child’s doctor will look for other conditions that can accompany ADHD. Having more than one condition is called having co-existing (or comorbid) conditions.
Co-existing conditions can make diagnosing and treating ADHD more difficult. They also create more challenges for a child to overcome, so it is important to identify and treat these other conditions,
too. Some of the more common co-existing conditions with ADHD are oppositional defiant disorder, learning and language disorders, anxiety disorders, Tourette’s disorder, and depressive disorders. Studies indicate that half or more of children with ADHD also have oppositional defiant or conduct disorder.
Children with oppositional defiant disorder are often defiant toward authority--parents or teachers--and have a tendency to intentionally bother others, particularly other children or family members. Some children with ADHD have a conduct disorder. This is a serious psychiatric disorder in which the child regularly violates the rights of others by stealing, being physically aggressive, or destroying property. Children with a co-existing conduct disorder are at much higher risk for getting into trouble with the law or developing depression, becoming suicidal, and abusing substances than children with ADHD alone. The long-term outcome of the combination of ADHD and conduct disorder is poor.
Your child’s doctor may recommend counseling or therapy if your child has either oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder. Twenty to twenty-five percent of children with ADHD have a co-existing language or learning disorder.Children with these co-existing conditions can often benefit from academic interventions and speech and language therapy. Additionally, 33 percent of children with ADHD also have a problem with anxiety or depressive disorders.Children with these problems may benefit from additional treatment as well, including talk therapy, medication, or both. Among the more serious co-existing conditions that can occur with ADHD are mood disorders that include such symptoms as severe mood instability and agitation, elated mood, a sense of superiority, racing thoughts and speech, and less need for sleep. Many of these children seem highly irritable, overly sensitive, and reactive. They are often described as being on “an emotional roller coaster.” Only a health care professional trained to evaluate, diagnose and treat children with ADHD can determine whether your child’s behaviors are caused by ADHD, another condition, or co-existing disorders. A thorough assessment and an accurate diagnosis are essential to choosing the right treatments, including deciding which medication might benefit your child the most and which medication might make certain disorders worse.
What types of treatments are effective?
To help families make important decisions about treatment, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) began a large treatment study in 1992 called the Multi-modal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD (or the MTA study). Data from this 14-month study showed that stimulant medication is most effective in treating the symptoms of ADHD, as long as it is administered in doses adjusted for each child
to give the best response – either alone or in combination with behavioral therapy. This is especially true when the medication dosage is regularly monitored and adjusted for each child.
The MTA study, along with many other large-scale treatment studies that have assessed the safety and effectiveness of ADHD medications, provides evidence that stimulant medication reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity, improves attention, and increases the ability to get along with others. For this reason, stimulant medications remain the medications of first choice for treating individuals with ADHD. While medicine alone is a proven treatment for ADHD, the MTA study found that combining behavioral treatment with medicine was useful in helping families, teachers, and children learn ways to manage and modify the behaviors that cause problems at home and at school. In addition, some children receiving the combination of medication and behavioral therapy were able to take lower doses of
medicine.
Quazi Imam, M.D.
Board Certified in Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Addiction Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Geriatric Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Forensic Psychiatry.
Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry,Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist,Harvard Medical School Trained.
1833 W. Pioneer Parkway Tel: 682-323-4566 Arlington, Texas 76013
