What Is ADHD? Signs and Treatment for Adults

What Is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurological disorder characterized by consistent patterns of inattention, impulsivity, and, in some cases, hyperactivity, which occur more severely and more often than is typically observed in people at a similar developmental age.[1] While ADHD is typically thought of as a child and adolescent disorder, it persists into adulthood and, in most cases, goes undetected until well into a person’s adult life.

There are three subtypes of ADHD:

• Inattention type — Difficulty concentrating, organizing work, or finishing things that are started. People with this presentation tend to appear forgetful, easily distracted, or both.
• Hyperactivity-impulsive type — People with this presentation are restless, have difficulty sitting still, and often act without thinking.
• Combined type — The most common presentation. People with this type have symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive types, which may cause difficulty with focus, behavioral issues, and impulse control.

However ADHD presents for you, please know that it is not a character flaw, nor is it a lack of willpower. Rather, it is a neurobiological condition associated with differences in development and functioning, particularly in regions of the brain that are responsible for executive functioning, attention regulation, and impulse control.[2] Understanding this is the first step in getting effective treatment.

What Causes ADHD?

There are many factors that contribute to ADHD. Research currently supports multiple genetic, environmental, and neurological factors that interact with each other, including:

• Genetics — A family history of ADHD increases the likelihood of an ADHD diagnosis. Additional family studies confirm that genetic factors account for approximately 70-80% of the risk. [3]
• Neurological differences — Studies reviewed on brain imaging demonstrate consistent differences in brain structure and function compared with their non-ADHD peers.[4]
• Prenatal and early developmental influences — Exposure to toxins during pregnancy, premature birth, and low birth weight have all been associated with increased ADHD risk.[5]
• Environmental factors — Although environmental factors do not cause ADHD, chronic stress, trauma, and adverse experiences can increase symptoms and complicate the ability to determine appropriate treatment.[6]

ADHD also frequently presents with co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, and substance-use disorders.[7] When this is the case, integrated treatment strategies are used to improve the effectiveness of treatment.

Symptoms of ADHD

As with many other mental health conditions, ADHD symptoms present differently from person to person. However, the most common symptoms of all three ADHD types are listed below:

Inattentive subtype symptoms (formerly known as ADD) include the following:

• Difficulty sustaining attention on tasks, especially when the task is repetitive and takes a great deal of mental effort
• Frequent careless mistakes
• Appearing to not be listening or paying attention to what is being said
• A history of failing to complete tasks
• Difficulty organizing activities and with time management
• Losing important daily items such as keys, phone, or documents
• Being easily distracted by unrelated stimuli
• Memory difficulties and forgetfulness

Hyperactive and impulsive types include the following symptoms:

• Constant fidgeting, tapping, or difficulty sitting still in situations where it is required 
• Excessive talking, blurting out answers before the question is asked
• Difficulty waiting, such as waiting your turn in conversations, in lines, and in other situations where patience is needed
• Tendency to act before thinking things through
• Chronic sense of restlessness or agitation

Most adults with ADHD grow out of their hyperactivity symptoms as they get older, but inattentiveness and impulsiveness remain, making ADHD more difficult to identify.

ADHD and Co-Occurring Conditions

It is important to understand that ADHD is rarely a standalone issue. The relationship between ADHD and addictive personality traits, substance abuse, and co-occurring mental health disorders is well-documented and clinically significant.[8]

Adults with ADHD demonstrate a much higher incidence of substance use disorders, partly because of the impulsivity that is characteristic of the condition and partly because substances can also provide temporary relief from the frustration and emotional dysregulation of untreated symptoms.[9] This means that ADHD and addiction must be addressed together with a treatment plan that treats ADHD as the primary clinical concern and underlying cause of the substance abuse.

It is also not unusual for adults with ADHD to have co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.[10] Any of these conditions could mask or amplify ADHD, making diagnosis challenging. A thorough evaluation is important to disentangle these conditions and to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that takes the full clinical picture into account.

When to Seek Professional Help

ADHD exists on a spectrum, and not everyone with focus issues will require a residential level of care. However, you should seek professional help if any of the following apply:

• Your ADHD symptoms are significantly interfering with your work or relationships, or your ability to live your life 
• You have previously been treated in an outpatient setting or with medication without adequate improvement
• There are other mental health or substance use issues that are complicating your overall presentation
• Your untreated ADHD is causing emotional pain so intense that weekly therapy will not be adequate

If you have ADHD as part of a more complex diagnosis involving co-occurring disorders, substantial functional impairment, or have been previously unsuccessfully treated, then a more intensive treatment approach will typically be the best next step for you.

 

ADHD Treatment at Helios West Palm

Helios West Palm begins ADHD treatment by conducting a comprehensive evaluation to assess the full spectrum of their patient’s presentation, including any co-occurring disorders, their level of functional impairment, and history of prior treatment.

With the results of this comprehensive evaluation, we can develop a custom treatment plan for each patient.

 

Benefits of ADHD Treatment

For those adults who have spent years trying to manage their symptoms without support, effective ADHD treatment can literally change lives. Benefits of effective treatment of ADHD go well beyond the reduction of symptoms:

• The ability to focus, organize, and follow through with practical skills required in daily living and professional work
• Reduced impulsivity and improved decision-making in personal relationships, work environment, and money management
• Improved self-esteem and a greater awareness of themselves through greater understanding and compassion
• Reduced impact of other co-occurring conditions, including anxiety, depression, and substance use
• Greater understanding of the patterns that have created barriers in relationships with family members and colleagues
• Clear steps for moving forward based on a treatment plan, tools, and clinical support, in comparison to the complexities that were experienced before treatment