How ADHD Impacts Adults Differently

Many people assume that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects only children and teens. You might even think it improves with age and won’t cause problems in adulthood. However, ADHD is a lifelong mental health disorder. Getting older often causes symptoms to change, but managing them throughout your life is essential to your well-being. 

At Advanced Psychiatric Care in Neptune and Toms River, New Jersey, board-certified psychiatrist Alexander Iofin, MD, specializes in diagnosing and treating adult ADHD. Here, we explain the condition and detail how it impacts adults differently than kids.

What is adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?

ADHD is a mental health condition characterized by impulsive behavior, difficulty focusing, and hyperactivity. Without treatment, these symptoms can interfere with various aspects of your life, including your work performance and personal relationships.

ADHD is often diagnosed during childhood or adolescence, but some people don’t discover they have the condition until after graduating college and starting their careers. Regardless, getting the condition under control can significantly increase your productivity and improve your quality of life. 

How ADHD impacts adults differently

ADHD typically evolves with age, making it more difficult to identify. It affects adults differently than children and teens in several ways, including:

1. Symptom presentation

Children with ADHD tend to have lots of energy. This is often illustrated by difficulty sitting still and talking excessively. In adults, the symptoms are more subtle. Energy levels usually decline, but ADHD can still make it challenging to focus, stay on task, and make thoughtful decisions. 

2. Negative self-talk

Children and teens with ADHD often express themselves through emotional outbursts. For example, they may cry or yell if they don’t get their way or become easily frustrated or annoyed.

Adults usually have more control, but they may still experience racing thoughts, negative self-talk, and emotional dysregulation. Combined, these factors can negatively affect confidence and self-esteem, preventing them from setting and achieving personal and professional goals. 

3. Financial problems

Kids and teens with ADHD often have difficulty meeting school deadlines and staying on task. Many also have short attention spans and varied interests, making it difficult to start a project and see it through to the end. 

When these characteristics continue into adulthood, they can prevent you from staying on top of financial obligations. For instance, you might have trouble sticking to a budget or paying bills on time. Likewise, impulsivity can cause you to make bad investments or purchase items beyond your means.

4. Career challenges

Research suggests adult ADHD can make it difficult to maintain a good job. One national survey found that only 50% of adults with ADHD held full-time jobs, compared to 72% of adults in the general population.

This makes sense, considering that ADHD affects executive functions, such as decision-making, multitasking, and planning. As a result, adults with ADHD are more likely to make errors, miss deadlines, and receive low ratings on performance reviews. 

Don’t wait to seek treatment for adult ADHD

Despite the challenges it presents, adult ADHD doesn’t have to affect your personal or professional life. The good news is various treatments can relieve uncomfortable symptoms and help you stay productive and on-task.

After a physical exam and psychological testing, Dr. Iofin can develop a personalized treatment plan that helps you feel your best. Often, this includes medication management with a stimulant like Adderall, and psychological counseling. 

Medication helps balance the neurotransmitters in your brain, making it easier to focus and stay on task. Counseling boosts your self-esteem, improves your time management and organizational skills, and teaches you to reduce impulsive behavior.

Call our office in Neptune (732-338-0813) or Toms River (732-360-5465), or click the online booking feature to schedule an adult ADHD consultation.