Some people may outgrow ADHD as they get older. Most often, symptoms change over time and appear as though ADHD has disappeared. Some adults may have had their condition overlooked or misdiagnosed earlier in life.
One of the most common myths about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is that only children can receive a diagnosis. In reality, many people may get ADHD diagnoses as adults.
While ADHD diagnosed during childhood typically does not go away as you get older, symptoms may wax or wane, and you may not notice those same types of symptoms as you age. This may mean some believe they’ve “grown out” of the disorder, but that likely isn’t the case for most people, no matter how symptoms evolve over time.
If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of ADHD, talking with a mental health professional may help to clarify the possible causes of your experience as well as establish the next steps.
Some people who receive an ADHD diagnosis during childhood or adolescence may grow out of the condition as they get older.
While this is possible, some research indicates that only 10% of people with childhood ADHD may outgrow symptoms. This challenges older clinical beliefs that roughly 50% of those with childhood ADHD outgrew it, in part because of newer guidelines and diagnosis criteria.
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Much of that depends on how adult ADHD is diagnosed and how medical professionals evaluate symptoms for those who may have had a childhood ADHD diagnosis or those who never had an ADHD diagnosis.
Diagnosis in adults is sometimes complex because many people have learned to mask their symptoms over the years. Masking refers to developing strategies to hide or compensate for some of your symptoms so that other people won’t notice.
Knowing the types of ADHD
If you have ADHD symptoms, your healthcare professional may want to determine their severity and which type of ADHD you’re most likely to have:
- ADHD predominantly inattentive presentation: Inattentive type ADHD was previously referred to as ADD. People with this type of ADHD have difficulty with organization and completing tasks.
- ADHD hyperactive-impulsive presentation: Difficulty staying still and controlling impulses characterize this type of ADHD. Speaking out of turn and having trouble listening to directions are also common signs.
- ADHD combined presentation: People with combined type ADHD have symptoms of the other two types of presentations.
Learn more about the different types of ADHD and what this can mean for you.
Mental health professionals use multiple evaluations and tests for adult ADHD, which can’t be diagnosed from simple observation or a quick conversation.
To give an ADHD diagnosis, a healthcare professional may need to establish that your current symptoms or challenges interfere with or impair your daily life or cause some degree of distress.
Medical professionals will try to determine if you have any of the core symptoms of ADHD:
- inattention
- impulsivity
- emotional dysregulation
- hyperactivity
Some of the steps to diagnose ADHD in adults include:
Reviewing your medical and personal history
A healthcare professional may want to start with questions about your childhood and some of the possible symptoms you had then.
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Possible questions about your childhood that a healthcare professional may ask during initial consultations include:
- What were your grades in school?
- What type of comments or feedback did you or your guardians usually get from teachers?
- How organized were you, in general?
- Did you have difficulty with homework?
- Did you misplace objects often or rarely?
- Was your room usually organized or disorganized?
- Did teachers ask you to sit still or be quiet often?
- Did you have a hard time staying still or quiet?
Sometimes, the assessment professional may ask to talk with a parent, guardian, or someone else who can give details about your childhood. This is particularly the case if you have trouble recalling some events.
Assessing current challenges
This may include:
- academic or work performance
- characteristic of your relationships
- daily routines
- duties and responsibilities
Using behavior rating scales
A healthcare professional may want to use one or more behavior rating scales during their assessment. These scales list behaviors common in people with ADHD. The evaluator may ask you to fill out a form before the evaluation or complete it with you during the appointment.
If you’re in a relationship, they may also invite your partner to fill out an assessment of your behavior based on set criteria.
Testing for other mental health conditions
The healthcare professional may also want to rule out other conditions, like learning disabilities or mood disorders, which may sometimes mimic some symptoms of ADHD.
For this, they may ask different types of questions or ask you to perform some tasks. They may also ask you about your medical history, including other diagnoses you’ve received.
Ordering a physical exam
If you experience symptoms like difficulty focusing, anxiety, or memory challenges, a healthcare professional may want to rule out a physical cause. Conditions like thyroid disorders and seizure disorders can sometimes cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD.
Tips for finding help to diagnose ADHD in adults
It can be overwhelming to seek an ADHD diagnosis as an adult. You’ll need to see a licensed mental health professional or a doctor for a diagnosis. These tips can help you find a medical professional:
- Get recommendations from your primary care doctor.
- If you already see a therapist, ask them if they can diagnose ADHD or know someone who can.
- Read reviews and verify state licenses of any referred professionals.
- If you have health insurance, look for ADHD specialists in their care directory.
- If you need to, visit multiple professionals until you find someone you’re comfortable with.
ADHD doesn’t manifest in the same way or with the same intensity from person to person. Your particular situation and personality also influence your behavior and daily life management.
Possible symptoms of adult ADHD include:
- frequently quitting or losing jobs
- inconsistent work performance
- history of problems at school or work
- difficulties managing or completing daily tasks
- difficulties keeping things organized
- forgetting to pay bills
- challenges with time management
- frequently forgetting appointments or other important dates
- intense emotional reactions to seemingly minor things
- constant symptoms of stress and worry caused by difficulties with everyday tasks
- constant feelings of frustration about not meeting goals or accomplishing tasks
- relationship problems caused by disorganization or forgetfulness
An important note about symptoms of ADHD is that these are persistent and constant over time. Occasional forgetfulness or difficulty sitting still isn’t a sign of ADHD.
Find out more about other symptoms people with ADHD may experience.
If you receive an ADHD diagnosis, a healthcare professional may offer you different strategies to cope and manage symptoms. The ultimate goal is to improve your quality of life and decrease distress.
Your ADHD treatment may depend on the severity of ADHD symptoms, any other conditions you may have, and your specific goals.
Medication is one of many ADHD management strategies and isn’t required in every case. For some adults with ADHD, medication may be most effective when combined with management approaches.
ADHD treatment in adults may involve:
- Therapy: Talk therapy can help you manage stress levels and emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be particularly effective in managing ADHD symptoms and helping you develop actionable strategies to manage daily challenges, like time management or relationship difficulties.
- Medications: Medications for ADHD may be the same for adults as for children, but the dosage will vary. A healthcare professional may determine if you need stimulant or nonstimulant medications or if you need medications like antidepressants or anxiolytics for co-occurring depression or anxiety.
- Lifestyle measures: A therapist may also help you to structure a routine that helps you cope with adult ADHD symptoms. Getting enough sleep, eating a nutrient-dense diet, and managing stress could be part of this effort. Physical activity is also helpful in managing ADHD symptoms.
While most people receive an ADHD diagnosis as kids or teenagers, you can also get a diagnosis as an adult. Most people do not outgrow ADHD, though symptoms can change over time, and they may not be as noticeable in adulthood compared to how they were earlier in life.
It can be more difficult to diagnose ADHD in adults because symptoms may be overlooked or misdiagnosed. That may have also happened when you were younger or if you didn’t have access to care.
An adult ADHD diagnosis may often involve gathering information about your childhood as well as current challenges. Tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms may also be required.
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD can lead you to strategies for symptom management that can improve your quality of life and decrease distress.
