Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Symptoms of ADHD in Adults The core ADHD symptoms in adults appear to be developmentally related to those in children and include the classic triad, namely, inattention/distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. There is growing consensus, however, that the central feature of ADHD is disinhibition. Adults with ADHD have difficulty stopping themselves from immediately responding, and they have deficits in their capacity for monitoring their own behavior. This impulsivity often takes the form of socially inappropriate behavior, such as blurting out thoughts that are rude or insulting. Hyperactivity, while a common feature among children, is likely to be less overt in adults. The “on the go” drivenness seen in many ADHD children is replaced in adults with restlessness, difficulty relaxing and feeling of being chronically “on edge.” Deficits in sustained attention and concentration are likely to remain and may become more apparent in late adolescence and early adulthood as responsibilities increase. Appointments, social commitments and deadlines are frequently forgotten. Finally, the problem often expressed by adults with ADHD is frustration over the inability to be organized.