ADHD in adulthood
What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts areas of executive functioning such as attention, working memory, emotion regulation, impulse control, planning, organisation and task initiation Thanks to greater education and awareness of ADHD in recent years, more people are now being diagnosed in adulthood.
How can ADHD impact an individual?
ADHD can also impact adults in areas such as self-esteem, close relationships and work. Individuals who are diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can suffer from low self-esteem due to internalising negative messaging from others such as parents, teachers and employers. For example, people who are diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood often report being told at school that they could do well if they better applied themselves or were less disruptive in class, while at home they may experience the frustration of parents and other family members due to forgetfulness or difficulty initiating tasks. These difficulties often continue into university and the workplace. Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can assist many individuals in having a better understanding of their behaviour and how to best manage it.
Treatment for ADHD
Medication is considered to be the first-line treatment for ADHD in adulthood, assisting with symptom reduction and improved outcomes on cognitive function. However, research also suggests that other factors can be helpful when used in conjunction to pharmacological treatment such as psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioural interventions and aerobic physical exercise (in particular, those that target executive function such as martial arts and ball-based sports). Psychotherapy can also be a helpful intervention to assist with secondary issues such as self-esteem, emotion-regulation and relationship difficulties.
If you believe you may have ADHD, it may be helpful to speak to a health professional such as your General Practitioner in order to arrange an appropriate referral for an assessment. Various psychologists at DKM Psychology can help with facilitating an assessment for ADHD. To find out more, visit drkimm.com/assessments
Written by Holly Monaghan (Psychologist)
