Health Topics for Mental and Emotional Health

Department of Psychiatry

Attention deficit disorder: adults

Attention deficit disorder in adults is a continuation of a childhood syndrome known as attention deficit disorder, or ADD. These effects linger on into adulthood for many people. ADD may or may not be associated with hyperactivity.

This disorder is identified by:

• impulsiveness
• short attention span
• restlessness
• difficulty focusing and
• sometimes hyperactivity

Children with ADD usually have family and school problems. Their parents are often frustrated by their behavior. Parents often blame their child, instead of the disorder. Children with ADD often do poorly in school. As children grow into their teens they often learn to control the impulsive and hyperactive behaviors.

Many people with ADD seem to "grow out of it" by their early twenties. However, they are often left dealing with family problems, a poor education, and a reputation as a troublemaker. Less lucky are adults with ADD who only grow out of some of the signs, or who do not seem to grow out of it at all. These people are likely to have real difficulties both in jobs and in personal relationships.

Medications and therapy can help adults with ADD. Stimulants and certain antidepressants often help. Some people are diagnosed and begin medications for the first time in their adult years. Some never realize that they had a problem until medication allowed them to think clearly for the first time in their life. Some people may have been taken off their medication because their healthcare provider thought that everyone with ADD outgrew it. If medication helped you before, it may help you again. Individual or family therapy is also very helpful.

Last Reviwed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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