“ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood.”
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is commonly viewed as a diagnosis given to children – as already seen in the definition provided above by the CDC – which can lead to negative stigma and a lack of diagnosis in adults. One of the main reasons for this, is that only recently has research proven that the symptoms of ADHD actually present differently as individuals age. Typically, ADHD in children is exhibited through “inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.” However, it has been found that overtime these symptoms can begin manifesting in different ways. For example, what was once viewed as inattentiveness turns into disorganization and memory issues. Hyperactivity develops as an ‘inner’ hyperactivity which is expressed as restlessness. Impulsivity lends itself to anger outbursts or impatience. These dramatic changes in the way symptoms are expressed means that oftentimes they will go unnoticed, or even misdiagnosed as a consequence of regular aging.
On another note, those that are diagnosed as children or manage to get successfully diagnosed later in life feel the negative effects of the comorbidity of ADHD and aging. For one, the changing nature of symptom expression leads to a need for adaptation. Those that have found successful ways to manage their ADHD may need to adjust their methods to accommodate for such changes. Seeing as they have utilized certain strategies to manage their symptoms for a large portion of their life, it is obvious that this could be a difficult change. Additionally, there are the other potential ailments that come with aging that now add onto their burden. For one, since memory typically declines into older adulthood, it is possible that the effects of ADHD would only compound that, leading to even worse cognitive effects.
Nonetheless, there are still ways that those diagnosed with ADHD can manage their symptoms, even later in life. While there are some medications such as methylphenidate or dextroamphetamine that have been proven to work to treat ADHD in older adults as well as children, there are also non-pharmacological methods that can be effective. These include things that help create structure and organization to one’s life such as calendars, planners, alarms, etc. Additionally, there are therapeutic options which can lower stress and aid in achieving greater life satisfaction.
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