clarity clinic

ADHD in Adults

If you find yourself constantly disorganized, late, forgetful, and overwhelmed by daily activities, you may be suffering from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). ADHD affects the prefrontal cortex of the brain, where all of our planning and decision-making functions occur. Left untreated, ADHD can hinder everything we do in our daily lives, from school to career to relationships. With Clarity Clinic, you can speak to expert clinicians and receive treatment and ADHD medications from the best psychiatrists in Chicago.
Find Adult ADHD Specialists
default
Jump to...

ADHD Overview

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a genetic, brain-based syndrome characterized by inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that affects individuals’ relationships, and academic or professional performance, and can contribute to low self-esteem. The difference between adult and childhood ADHD lies in developmental and environmental changes. For example, one of the most telling symptoms of hyperactivity in children is the inability to remain seated in a classroom setting; whereas symptoms of hyperactivity in adults are more subtle and may include feelings of internal restlessness, getting bored easily, or fidgeting. If the condition is untreated, it can adversely affect almost every aspect of individuals’ personal and professional lives. However, there is an array of treatment options available for individuals with the condition ranging from individual or group therapy to medication.

Can Adults Get ADHD?

The validity of a psychiatric disorder is derived from a pattern of converging evidence, namely clinical correlations, genetics or family history, lab and outcome studies, and patient’s responses to treatment. If ADHD is the same condition in children and adults, one would expect to find observable neuropsychological similarities. While there is evidence that suggests adults with ADHD exhibit the typical signs of inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, diagnosticians have had difficulty creating an operationalized definition of adult ADHD. Furthermore, follow-up studies on children with ADHD maintaining the condition through adulthood have rendered mixed results. As such, the validity of adult ADHD has been challenged by researchers and clinicians alike.

The debatable validity of adult ADHD is rooted in its diagnostic difficulties and the recent sensationalization of the condition by the press and popular media outlets. Diagnosing ADHD in adults is difficult because the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) is developmentally insensitive. When clinicians are diagnosing adults with ADHD, they’re forced to consider symptoms like, “often leaves seat in the classroom in which remaining seated is expected.” This is problematic because most children mature and outgrow these developmental challenges, and because their environment will inevitably change as they grow older. These difficulties were reverberated by D. Shafer’s observation that diagnosis requires an onset before the age of seven, which forces adults to accurately recall distant events. Also, because the symptomatology of ADHD in adults is similar to other disorders, such as manic-depressive illness, individuals may be misdiagnosed with the condition.

In recent decades, adult ADHD has been sensationalized by popular media outlets. This has caused numerous individuals to self-diagnose their ADHD. Clinicians are often skeptical of self-diagnoses because troubled individuals are quick to attribute their problems to syndromes or disorders covered by influential media outlets.

Despite its criticisms, adult ADHD is a very real condition that affects approximately 4.4% of American adults. An accurate diagnosis requires the use of developmentally sensitive psychometrics and the comorbidity paradigm. Developmental changes are irrefutable and must be factored into diagnoses. This is because people’s symptoms and environments will change during the maturation process. These symptomatological and environmental alterations and their effects must be well documented to accurately account for the person’s condition. The changing symptoms often overlap and may appear as different conditions altogether. The comorbidity paradigm encourages diagnosticians to assess all disorders without assuming that one account for the other. In other words, the comorbidity paradigm treats diagnostic overlap as the rule as opposed to the exception.

Symptoms of ADHD in Adults

The symptoms of ADHD in adults are categorically similar to the symptoms exhibited in children. The primary difference between child and adult ADHD lies in the fact that symptoms become less conspicuous as people mature. The particular symptoms and their severity are unique to each individual. However, people with ADHD will likely exhibit all of the major five categories of symptoms to some extent. Symptoms usually worsen when individuals try to balance numerous tasks simultaneously. The five major symptom categories are:

1. Difficulty concentrating or staying focused for an extended period of time

Adults with ADHD have difficulty maintaining focus on routine and monotonous tasks. Their focus can be thrown off by extraneous sounds, sights, or thoughts which causes them to bounce between different activities. The constant bouncing between tasks makes completing specific tasks exceedingly difficult, especially if the person is already disinterested in it. These symptoms are some of the most telling signs of an individual’s condition, and they include:

  • Difficulty paying attention or focusing
  • Easily distracted
  • Zoning out
  • Poor listening skills
  • Struggling to complete tasks
  • Hyperactivity or restlessness

2. Hyperactivity

Hyperactivity is more subtle for adults with ADHD. While most people with ADHD are energetic and talkative, adults are more likely to experience internal symptoms of hyperactivity, as opposed to children’s outward expressions. Symptoms of adult hyperactivity are:

  • Feelings of inner restlessness
  • Racing thoughts
  • Becoming bored easily or craving excitement
  • Excessive multitasking
  • Talking a lot
  • Fidgeting and difficulty sitting still
  • Disorganization or Forgetfulness

3. Stress

People with ADHD are frequently stressed out by the tasks they are supposed to complete. This added stress makes it difficult for them to sort, prioritize, and track relevant information and responsibilities. Consequently, individuals with ADHD have difficulty staying organized. The symptoms of disorganization and forgetfulness appear as:

  • Poor organizational skills
  • Frequent procrastination
  • Difficulty starting and/or completing tasks
  • Chronic lateness
  • Frequently missing appointments, commitments, and deadlines
  • Frequently losing things
  • Underestimating the time it will take to complete a task

4. Impulsivity

It’s normal for people with ADHD to have difficulty remaining patient. They will likely have trouble concealing their behaviors and outward expressions, causing them to act before they think or speak without considering the consequences. Symptoms of impulsivity are:

  • Frequently interrupting or talking over others
  • Poor self-control
  • Addictive tendencies
  • Blurting out rude or inappropriate thoughts without considering the consequences
  • Acting recklessly without considering the consequences
  • Difficulty behaving in socially appropriate ways

5. Emotional Difficulties

The self-imposed stress people with ADHD endure when trying to accomplish tasks can result in an array of emotional problems. For example, they may become angry or frustrated if one of their responsibilities is not addressed promptly. The common emotional difficulties for people with ADHD include:

  • Constantly stressed out
  • Irritable or explosive temper
  • Low self-esteem
  • Sense of insecurity or underachievement
  • Difficulty staying motivated

The Effects of ADHD in Adults

If ADHD is untreated, it can adversely affect almost every aspect of an individual’s professional and personal life. If you’re an adult with undiagnosed ADHD, you’ve likely endured symptoms of the condition for the majority of your later adolescent and adult life. The persistent stress and anxiety attributed to the condition leave people feeling strained. The most commonly affected areas are:

Personal & Social Life

Individuals with ADHD often have difficulties maintaining healthy relationships due to their forgetfulness, impulsivity, and hampered communication skills. They may forget to maintain their commitments with friends and family, causing them to feel disappointed or embarrassed. This ultimately strains the relationship between both the individuals with the condition and their loved ones. It is also common for people with ADHD to feel as if they’re being constantly pestered or lectured by their loved ones about their disorganization or perceived irresponsibility; which diminishes their self-confidence and can make them feel frustrated or angry.

Professional or Academic Life

Because individuals with ADHD tend to procrastinate, so they often have difficulty completing tasks. This makes it more likely that they will fall behind schedule, and leave certain tasks unaccounted for. Perpetually playing catch up makes it difficult for people with ADHD to maintain routine nine-to-five jobs, or achieve high marks in school.

Mental & Physical Health

People with ADHD are six times more likely to develop a cognitive or affective disorder in addition to their ADHD. Some of the common mental disorders that individuals with ADHD develop are anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and low self-esteem. Additionally, forgetfulness may lead these individuals to miss doctor appointments or their prescriptions which can contribute to additional physical health issues.

 

How is Adult ADHD Treated

Anything a person does to cope with or mitigate the symptoms of ADHD is considered treatment. Considering that most adults with undiagnosed ADHD have dealt with the symptoms for several years, they have been forced to develop tactics to cope with their symptoms. As such, several self-help techniques are effective in decreasing the severity of the symptoms of ADHD. The most effective techniques include:

Routine Exercise

Routine and moderately intense exercise is tremendous for people with ADHD because it helps them work off excess energy and aggression. Additionally, it increases serotonin levels in the brain which can be calming for individuals with the condition.

Maintain a healthy and balanced diet

People with ADHD should schedule meals no more than three hours apart, and try and include proteins and complex carbohydrates into their diet. This helps to provide individuals with prolonged and sustainable energy, which helps to suppress mood swings.

Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night

Sleep is an important part of being able to maintain focus. If a person gets less than six hours of sleep, it’s increasingly more difficult to maintain focus and manage stress. When dealing with excessive stress, it’s difficult to stay on top of your responsibilities, so sleep is the pinnacle of an individual's success.

Keep and maintain a daily planner or schedule

People that make a schedule for their day or week typically have more success because it maps out their responsibilities. Mapping out responsibilities makes them easier to manage because it places timetables on when the task will be handled. This is one of the best practices for prolonged time management.

Actively work on your relationships with loved ones

Individuals with ADHD need to schedule time with friends and family. This helps create a supportive base for individuals to lean on. This can also help to improve their communication skills because they will engage in conversation.

 

If your symptoms are still getting in the way of your daily life despite your best efforts to manage them on your own, it is time to seek professional assistance. A diagnosis of ADHD can serve as a tremendous relief for a person because it provides reassurance that their condition is not a character flaw or sign of weakness but a treatable medical condition. Medical assistance typically involves:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT works to recognize negative thought patterns, behaviors, or mood cycles. For people with ADHD, it will help them to recognize negative tendencies and provide them with positive feedback and problem-solving skills to help them overcome these thoughts and behaviors to better cope with their condition.

Medication

If the condition is severe enough, a psychiatrist may prescribe ADHD medication. It is important to note that medication does not cure ADHD, it only helps certain symptoms. Medication is typically prescribed in conjunction with therapy or life coaching.

Take Control of Your Adult ADHD

At Clarity Clinic, we specialize in empowering adults with ADHD to take control of their lives and unlock their full potential. Our comprehensive and personalized approach addresses the unique challenges faced by adults with ADHD, helping them navigate through daily tasks, improve relationships, and achieve their goals. Don't let ADHD hold you back any longer – take the important step towards a more focused and fulfilling life by reaching out to us for a confidential consultation. Your journey to renewed focus and success begins right here.

ADHD in Adults Providers

Sarah
Sarah Hand, LSW
Therapy
Stefan
Stefan Dabizljevic, LSW
Therapy
Mackenzie
Mackenzie Liotta, MA
Therapy Clinical Intern
Stephanie
Stephanie Michalski, LSW
Therapy
Alexandra
Alexandra Gremp, LPC, MEd, PEL
Therapy
Ross
Ross Pepper, MD
Psychiatrist
Anish
Anish Desai, MD
Psychiatrist
Reid
Reid Alley, MD
Psychiatrist
Sheena
Sheena Patel, PA-C
PA-C
Ryan
Ryan Atkins, PA-C
Psychiatry
Hannah
Hannah Wychocki, PA-C
PA-C
Lauren
Lauren Isdale, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Gabriella
Gabriella Lerner, PA-C
PA-C
Cyrus
Cyrus Ma, PA-C
PA-C
Zubair
Zubair Khan, PA-C
PA-C
Kumail
Kumail Hussain, MD
Young Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist
Sloan
Sloan Kodroff, LCPC
Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Emma
Emma Arsic, PA-C
PA-C
Paul
Paul Bamberger, PA-C
PA-C
Sankrant
Sankrant Reddy, MD
Psychiatrist
Stephanie
Stephanie Osborne, PA-C
Psychiatry
Ashley
Ashley Seredynski, PA-C
PA-C
Christine
Christine Lantin, PA-C
PA-C
Callie
Callie Perlman, LPC, NCC
Therapist
Bianca
Bianca Miller, LCPC
Therapist
Sudhakar
Sudhakar Shenoy, MD
Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist
Sharon
Sharon Koys, PA-C
PA-C
Sara
Sara Fakhri, MA
Therapy
Sahar
Sahar Eftekhar, DO
General & Addiction Psychiatrist
Rebecca
Rebecca Gilfillan, MD
Psychiatrist
Rebecca
Rebecca Kuhn, PA-C
PA-C
Sonnie
Sonnie Cousins, MA
Therapy
Nicole
Nicole Ortiz, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Elana
Elana Horowitz, PA-C
PA-C
Pavan
Pavan Prasad, MD
Psychiatrist
Mary
Mary Leighton, LPC
Therapy
Michael
Michael Colombatto, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Lovea
Lovea Smith, LCPC
Director of Therapy– Loop
Khrystyna
Khrystyna Helner, LPC, MBA
Therapist
Kelli
Kelli Lo, LSW
Therapy
Kiran Binal
Kiran Binal Maharaja, MD
Psychiatrist
Kalyan
Kalyan Rao, MD
Psychiatrist
Jonathan
Jonathan Kolakowski, MD
Psychiatrist
Judy
Judy Bitzer, LCPC
Therapist
James
James Histed, MA
Therapist
Keith
Keith Merrifield, LCSW, CCTP, ADHD-CCSP
Therapist
Julia
Julia Ray, MA
Therapy
Janel
Janel Wenger, AMFT
Therapist
Jeanette
Jeanette Marinier, PA-C
PA-C
Jamie
Jamie Schubert, PA-C
PA-C
Sherita
Sherita Hernton, PA-C
PA-C
Emily
Emily Street, PA-C
PA-C
Emily
Emily Shelton, LCPC, LMHC, CADC, CAGCS, CRSS
Therapy
Savannah
Savannah Sullivan, PA-C
PA-C
Summer
Summer Slininger, PA-C
PA-C
Ravali
Ravali Poreddy, MD
Psychiatrist
Ariella
Ariella Panos, PA-C
PA-C
James
James Ham, PA-C
Psychiatry
Rayna
Rayna Gorstein, PA-C
PA-C
Daniel
Daniel Shuter, LSW
Therapist
Sierra
Sierra Purcell, PA-C
PA-C
Emily
Emily Hoag, MD
Psychiatrist
Grace
Grace Starrs, PA-C
Psychiatry
Cassie
Cassie Donahue, PA-C
Psychiatry
Gayathri
Gayathri Ganesh, PA-C
PA-C
Stella
Stella Tantillo, LSW
Therapy
Samuel
Samuel Budyszewick, LCSW
Director of Therapy- Evanston
Samuel
Samuel Eckert, PA-C
PA-C
Chloe
Chloe Wesley, MA
Therapy
Rafael
Rafael Lopez, MD
Psychiatrist
Randi
Randi Schulman, LCSW
Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Savanna
Savanna Murphy, LSW
Therapy
Scott
Scott Shadrick, PA-C
PA-C
Khadija
Khadija Manzoor, LPC, CRC
Therapy
Mira
Mira Ebalo, PA-C
PA-C
Lauren
Lauren Stanley, LCSW
Therapy
Mark
Mark Bey, LPC
Therapy
Miriam
Miriam Mixon, LCSW
Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Joel
Joel Muller, Ph.D.
Director of Clinical Therapy- River North
Justin
Justin Lee, PA-C
PA-C
Jerri
Jerri Ganz, LCSW
Therapy
Sam
Sam Donham, LCPC
Therapy
Emily
Emily Brennan, PA-C
PA-C
Emily
Emily Mathews, LPC, ATR-P
Therapy
Autumn
Autumn Holtschlag, ALMFT, LPC
Therapy
Jenna
Jenna Jacobson, PA-C
PA-C
Dane
Dane Davlantis, LCPC
Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Caitlin
Caitlin Daughtry, PA-C
PA-C
Camryn
Camryn Schmidt, PA-C
PA-C
Dillon
Dillon Pfau, LSW
Therapy
Courtney
Courtney Daly, LCPC, CADC
Therapy
Christopher
Christopher Edwards, LCSW
Therapist
Alexandra
Alexandra Gregor, PA-C
PA-C
Allegria
Allegria Knouse, PA-C
PA-C
Antonina
Antonina Lunetta, LCPC
Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Alyssa
Alyssa Bobak, PA-C
PA-C

Related Blog Posts

blog
ADD Vs ADHD: What You Need to Know
July 18, 2024
blog
How to Tell if a Child Has ADHD
July 11, 2024
blog
Self-Care for People with ADHD
September 20, 2023
Find a provider
clarity clinic
© 2024 Clarity Clinic. All Rights Reserved.Privacy Policy