Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Adult ADHD can lead to unstable relationships, poor work or school performance, low self-esteem, and other problems.
Some people with ADHD have fewer symptoms as they age, but some adults continue to have major symptoms that interfere with daily functioning. Adult ADHD symptoms include:
- Impulsiveness
- Disorganization and problems prioritizing
- Poor time management skills
- Problems focusing on a task
- Trouble multitasking
- Excessive activity or restlessness
- Poor planning
- Low frustration tolerance
- Frequent mood swings
- Problems following through and completing tasks
- Hot temper
- Trouble coping with stress
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Many adults with ADHD aren’t aware they have it.
The exact cause of ADHD is not clear, but research efforts continue. Factors that may be involved in the development of ADHD include:
- Genetics
- Environment
- Problems during development
Factors that may increase the risk of ADHD may include:
- You have blood relatives, such as a parent or sibling with ADHD or another mental health disorder
- Your mother smoked, drank alcohol, or used drugs during pregnancy
- As a child, you were exposed to environmental toxins such as lead, found mainly in paint and pipes in older buildings
- You were born prematurely
Signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults can be difficult to spot. However, the core symptoms of ADHD start early in life, before the age of 12, continuing into adulthood creating major problems.
