More than 9% of children in the United States have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common mental disorders affecting kids — but did you know that it’s also common in adulthood?
Up to 60% of people who had ADHD as children still have it as adults. ADHD contributes to behavioral symptoms like impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity, and the impact of these symptoms evolves as you age.
If you’re an adult with ADHD, you should know that treatment can make a difference in your life. Boston Neurobehavioral Associates specializes in comprehensive care for adults with ADHD, and our psychiatry and psychotherapy team partners with you to create an ADHD treatment plan that fits your needs.
The average age of people diagnosed with ADHD is 7 years old. Since ADHD is primarily identified in childhood, people often associate it with symptoms in children, like:
Inability to sit still
Inability to share or wait turns
Inability to play quietly
Being disruptive in school
Children with ADHD may struggle in school, get poor grades, or have difficulty making and keeping friends. Many of the symptoms of ADHD carry over into adulthood, but the effect they have often changes.
For adults, ADHD can make focusing on work difficult or impossible. You might struggle to focus on tasks and find that your performance suffers. ADHD can also interfere with personal relationships.
Some common symptoms of adult ADHD include:
Restlessness
Fidgeting
Impatience
Poor time management
Lack of focus
Forgetfulness
Interrupting others
Excessive talking
Careless mistakes
Negative self-image
Low motivation
If these symptoms sound familiar to you, don’t wait to schedule an ADHD evaluation. Adults with ADHD may also be more likely to experience other mental health disorders, like depression and anxiety, but treatment can improve your symptoms and prevent related complications.
Our team at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates offers comprehensive ADHD evaluations for adults. We partner with you to identify your symptoms and how they affect your life so that we can create a personalized treatment plan for you.
There’s no cure for ADHD, but treatment can manage your symptoms and improve your life. Our team often recommends a combination of behavioral therapy and medication for ADHD.
We may start by prescribing stimulant medication to improve your ability to focus. For some people, non-stimulant medication or antidepressants may work better, and we help you determine what’s best for you.
Therapy for ADHD helps you understand the root cause of your symptoms. Participating in therapy helps you acquire skills to help you manage symptoms in daily life and minimize their impact on your life.
Effective ADHD management requires ongoing care. No single treatment will work overnight, but we’re here to adjust your treatment plan as needed so you can get your best possible results.
