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" Experts used to believe children would grow out of ADHD by the time they were adults.  In recent years, it&amp;#039;s been recognised that ADHD can continue on into adulthood.  This relatively recent acceptance of adult ADHD means that many adults remain undiagnosed and aren&amp;#039;t aware their symptoms and behaviours are actually part of an identifiable condition.   How is it different to childhood ADHD? Unlike other mental disorders such as depression, ADHD does not start in adulthood. Adult ADHD is a continuation of ADHD from childhood. The main difference is in the type of difficulties and symptoms experienced.   Rather than problems at school, it is work lives and relationships that prove troublesome.   Adults are less likely to have intense observable hyperactivity.  In place of the observable hyperactivity, adults with ADHD are more likely to feel restless, fidget a lot, have difficulty relaxing and feel on edge a lot of the time.   A typical ADHD adult may have gone through life being constantly misunderstood:   your behaviour and actions may have caused difficulties with teachers, friends and work colleagues you may have been called clumsy, hyper, rude, abrupt, lazy, insensitive and irresponsible.   You may have frequently changed jobs and preferred work where there&amp;#039;s plenty of action, rather than sitting at a desk all day.  It&amp;#039;s possible that you&amp;#039;ll have had a number of occasions where you&amp;#039;ve acted impulsively, surprising others with your sudden actions. You may have experienced difficulties with relationships, partners and marriage. Smoking, drinking alcohol and, in some cases, drug taking are also more common problems among ADHD adults.    What are the symptoms of adult ADHD? Like childhood ADHD, adults share the symptoms of inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity. For some adults, the hyperactivity part of things calms down and is more controllable as they get older.  Research has shown that the experience of ADHD varies with age and symptoms can be quite different for people as the years go by.  Adults can experience ADHD in different ways, but some of the common symptoms include:   concentration problems  forgetfulness and poor short-term memory  lack of organisation  problems with creating and maintaining routines  lack of self-discipline  impulsive behaviour  restless mind   restlessness   poor time management  impatience and frustration.   Adults with ADHD also often complain of:  depression low self-esteem poor social skills and making inappropriate remarks feelings of underachievement.    Who is affected by adult ADHD? Research suggests up to two thirds of child sufferers continue to have problems into adulthood. Between 2 and 4 per cent of adults in the UK may have ADHD &amp;amp;#8211; the majority of who have not been diagnosed.   Diagnosis difficulties with adult ADHD As an adult, getting a diagnosis of ADHD is not straightforward.  ADHD adults will have experienced their symptoms for most of their life and, despite frustration, are likely to have reluctantly accepted them as part of their unique make-up.  Some will have learnt to develop their own coping strategies and may remain unaware they have a recognisable condition. In most instances it&amp;#039;s friends, family or work colleagues who instigate a visit to a doctor. Sometimes it&amp;#039;s as a result of stumbling across information about ADHD and finding a familiar description of yourself or having a child diagnosed as having ADHD and realising the similarities.  Either way, seeing a GP is the first port of call, and may be followed up by appointments with a psychiatrist or other specialist.    How is a diagnosis made? To meet existing diagnostic criteria, your symptoms need to have been present since before the age of 12. Obviously, this is more difficult to establish in adults, especially if parents aren&amp;#039;t available to recall childhood behaviour.  To evaluate an adult who may be suffering from ADHD, doctors look at a range of factors, including:   scores on psychological tests  social and emotional functioning  details of leisure activities  employment history  ability to handle personal finances  driving records  details of past or current criminal behaviour  whether illicit substances have been used.   Term watch  Co-morbidity  The term co-morbidity refers to a condition that exists alongside another.  For example, depression can exist with ADHD.   Self-reporting of symptoms is also looked at and, where possible, information from friends, family or work colleagues is gathered. Other conditions such as anxiety and depression are also more likely to exist alongside ADHD in adults, which can complicate the diagnosis.   What treatment is available? Although there&amp;#039;s no complete cure for ADHD, a number of treatments can significantly help with the management and control of symptoms. The most appropriate treatment regime varies according to individual needs and your own set of symptoms. The best treatment will accommodate all your areas of need. Treatment focuses on helping behaviour, emotional problems and social difficulties caused by ADHD. The main treatments for adults with ADHD are:    medication   cognitive behavioural therapy psychotherapy.   Medication Medication is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a first-line therapy for adults with ADHD although it is usually used alongside other therapies.  The most common medication for adults are the stimulants methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine and the non-stimulant atomoxetine.    Cognitive behavioural therapy  Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you learn about your disorder and ways to manage it effectively. For example, you may:  manage and maintain daily schedules better through making lists  cope with large projects at work by breaking them down into smaller chunks.    Psychotherapy Psychotherapy does not treat the core symptoms of ADHD but can help treat the emotional disturbances of people with ADHD. Sessions can take place:   on a one-to-one basis with a professional in a group in conjunction with a partner if relationship difficulties are the main problem.  Psychotherapy can help remove or modify troublesome emotional symptoms and help you cope with the daily challenges of living with ADHD.    Other people also read: ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder): what else could it be? Cognitive behavioural therapy: how can it help ADHD? Why is ADHD controversial? some experienced clinicians and specialists believe the condition isn&amp;#039;t adequately recognised.   Based on a text by Dr Dan Rutherford, GP  Last updated 03.04.2007 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/conditions/adhd/a5242/not-just-a-childhood-disorder/>