How Do I Know If I Have ADHD?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood, when a child begins to have problems paying attention. Symptoms generally emerge before age 12 and often persist into adulthood.

While ADHD can present challenges to people affected by it, Ochsner offers treatments that can help.

What are signs of ADHD?

It is not unusual for children to lose focus on a task or to become unruly from time to time. However, children with ADHD tend to have inattention and/or hyperactivity symptoms that are pervasive and cause significant impairment across multiple areas of their lives. For them, the symptoms worsen over time, causing issues at school, at home, and with friends.

The Centers for Disease Control lists the following signs a child with ADHD might exhibit:

• Frequent daydreams
• Forgetfulness; losing things frequently
• Squirming or fidgeting
• Talking too much
• Making careless mistakes or taking unnecessary risks
• Having a hard time resisting temptation
• Having trouble taking turns
• Having difficulty getting along with others

The symptoms may change as a person gets older. Symptoms in adults can include:

• Frequently being late or forgetting things
• Restlessness
• Trouble controlling anger
• Impulsiveness
• Trouble staying organized
• Procrastination
• Becoming easily frustrated
• Feeling bored often
• Having trouble concentrating when reading
• Mood swings
• Depression

Impulsivity 

Impulsivity is one of the hallmark features of ADHD. It involves acting quickly without adequate consideration of the consequences. This can show up in everyday decisions, such as making an unplanned major purchase or reaching for extra food without thinking about the after-effects. 

It can also appear in social situations, including interrupting others, calling out answers, or struggling to wait in line. While occasional impulsive behavior is a universal human experience, people with ADHD often face these impulses more frequently and with less control.

How common is ADHD?

An estimated 6% of adults have ADHD, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Studies indicate the percentage is as high as 11% in children.

Between 2020 and 2023, new diagnoses among adults increased significantly, possibly because of increased awareness and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Moreover, researchers whose report was published in the Journal of Clinical and Adolescent Psychology found that ADHD is an expanding public health concern.

Their study showed that in that in 2022, 7.1 million kids and adolescents in the United States had received an ADHD diagnosis. That number amounts to 1 million more children than in 2016.     

Do I have ADHD?

There is a stigma associated with ADHD in adults, according to the American Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA). As a result, countless adults who suffer from untreated ADHD avoid diagnosis or treatment.

Studies indicate that the condition is particularly underdiagnosed in women.

ADHD has been well-researched over the years. With an accurate diagnosis, many treatment options and coping strategies become available. However, ADHD can be hard to diagnose. There is no single test to determine if a person has it or doesn’t. In addition, symptoms of other mental health conditions can overlap with ADHD symptoms. For example, both anxiety and depression can be associated with difficulty concentration and low motivation.

Often, confirming a diagnosis comes only after a series of observations and evaluations with mental health professionals, primary care doctors and others.

In the case of children, guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics require a physical exam, medical history, and a review of a person's symptoms over time and across multiple settings. The evaluation also includes ruling out other conditions like anxiety or thyroid issues.

Is ADHD it genetic?

This question will hit home with parents who have ADHD and may be concerned about passing it on to their children.

Research has shown that genes play one of the biggest roles in the development of ADHD.

Scientists have discovered that about 40% of parents with ADHD have children who also meet the criteria for a diagnosis, the Attention Deficit Disorder Association reported. Other studies have found that children with siblings who have ADHD are nine times more likely to have the disorder than those whose siblings don’t have it. 

There are also several non-genetic factors linked ADHD. They include low birth weight, premature birth, exposure to toxins such as alcohol or smoking during pregnancy, and extreme stress during pregnancy.

Does ADHD get worse with age?

The vast majority of cases start in childhood and persist into adulthood.

On the plus side, the disorder doesn’t usually get worse with age, though it may present differently at various stages of adulthood.

Managing the symptoms of ADHD can be a struggle for adults whose difficulty concentrating may impact their work performance and personal relationships. That coupled with the common stressors of modern-day life can present a real challenge.

ADHD and depression can combine to exacerbate the challenge. There is a strong connection between the two. 

About 50% of adults with ADHD also suffer from a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression.

What are treatment options?

ADHD is managed and treated in several ways:

• Taking medications, stimulant or non-stimulant options
• Behavioral therapy
• Self-management, education programs and assistance through schools or work or alternative treatment approaches

If you are wondering if you have ADHD, reach out to your primary care provider to discuss evaluation and treatment options further.

Learn more about psychologist Sunni Primeaux, PhD