<p><strong>Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder</strong> (ADHD) is a neurological disorder that impacts the parts of the brain that help us plan, focus on, and execute tasks. Both adults and children can have <strong>ADHD</strong>.</p><p><strong>Symptoms:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Impulsiveness</strong>.</li><li>Disorganization and problems prioritizing.</li><li>Poor time management skills.</li><li>Problems focusing on a task.</li><li><strong>Trouble multitasking</strong>.</li><li>Excessive activity or restlessness.</li><li>Poor planning.</li><li>Low frustration tolerance.</li><li><strong>Problems following through and completing tasks.</strong></li></ul>

What are the 9 main symptoms of ADHD?

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Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

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<p>Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Adult <abbr>ADHD </abbr>can lead to unstable relationships, poor work or school performance, low self-esteem, and other problems. </p>

<p>Though it's called adult <abbr>ADHD </abbr>, symptoms start in early childhood and continue into adulthood. In some cases, <abbr>ADHD </abbr>is not recognized or diagnosed until the person is an adult. Adult <abbr>ADHD </abbr>symptoms may not be as clear as <abbr>ADHD </abbr>symptoms in children. In adults, hyperactivity may decrease, but struggles with impulsiveness, restlessness and difficulty paying attention may continue. </p>

<p>Treatment for adult <abbr>ADHD </abbr>is similar to treatment for childhood <abbr>ADHD </abbr>. Adult <abbr>ADHD </abbr>treatment includes medications, psychological counseling (psychotherapy) and treatment for any mental health conditions that occur along with <abbr>ADHD </abbr>. </p>

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<p>Some people with <abbr>ADHD </abbr>have fewer symptoms as they age, but some adults continue to have major symptoms that interfere with daily functioning. In adults, the main features of <abbr>ADHD </abbr>may include difficulty paying attention, impulsiveness and restlessness. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. </p>

<p>Many adults with <abbr>ADHD </abbr>aren't aware they have it — they just know that everyday tasks can be a challenge. Adults with <abbr>ADHD </abbr>may find it difficult to focus and prioritize, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. The inability to control impulses can range from impatience waiting in line or driving in traffic to mood swings and outbursts of anger. </p>

<p>Adult <abbr>ADHD </abbr>symptoms may include: </p>

<ul><li>Impulsiveness </li><li>Disorganization and problems prioritizing </li><li>Poor time management skills </li><li>Problems focusing on a task </li><li>Trouble multitasking </li><li>Excessive activity or restlessness </li><li>Poor planning </li><li>Low frustration tolerance </li><li>Frequent mood swings </li><li>Problems following through and completing tasks </li><li>Hot temper </li><li>Trouble coping with stress </li> </ul>

<p>Almost everyone has some symptoms similar to <abbr>ADHD </abbr>at some point in their lives. If your difficulties are recent or occurred only occasionally in the past, you probably don't have <abbr>ADHD </abbr>. <abbr>ADHD </abbr>is diagnosed only when symptoms are severe enough to cause ongoing problems in more than one area of your life. These persistent and disruptive symptoms can be traced back to early childhood. </p>

<p>Diagnosis of <abbr>ADHD </abbr>in adults can be difficult because certain <abbr>ADHD </abbr>symptoms are similar to those caused by other conditions, such as anxiety or mood disorders. And many adults with <abbr>ADHD </abbr>also have at least one other mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety. </p>

<p>If any of the symptoms listed above continually disrupt your life, talk to your doctor about whether you might have <abbr>ADHD </abbr>. </p>

<p>Different types of health care professionals may diagnose and supervise treatment for <abbr>ADHD </abbr>. Seek a provider who has training and experience in caring for adults with <abbr>ADHD </abbr>. </p>

<p>While the exact cause of <abbr>ADHD </abbr>is not clear, research efforts continue. Factors that may be involved in the development of <abbr>ADHD </abbr>include: </p>

<ul><li><strong>Genetics. </strong><abbr>ADHD </abbr>can run in families, and studies indicate that genes may play a role. </li><li><strong>Environment. </strong>Certain environmental factors also may increase risk, such as lead exposure as a child. </li><li><strong>Problems during development. </strong>Problems with the central nervous system at key moments in development may play a role. </li> </ul>

<p>Risk of <abbr>ADHD </abbr>may increase if: </p>

<ul><li>You have blood relatives, such as a parent or sibling, with <abbr>ADHD </abbr>or another mental health disorder </li><li>Your mother smoked, drank alcohol or used drugs during pregnancy </li><li>As a child, you were exposed to environmental toxins — such as lead, found mainly in paint and pipes in older buildings </li><li>You were born prematurely </li> </ul>

<p><abbr>ADHD </abbr>can make life difficult for you. <abbr>ADHD </abbr>has been linked to: </p>

<ul><li>Poor school or work performance </li><li>Unemployment </li><li>Financial problems </li><li>Trouble with the law </li><li>Alcohol or other substance misuse </li><li>Frequent car accidents or other accidents </li><li>Unstable relationships </li><li>Poor physical and mental health </li><li>Poor self-image </li><li>Suicide attempts </li> </ul>

<p>Although <abbr>ADHD </abbr>doesn't cause other psychological or developmental problems, other disorders often occur along with <abbr>ADHD </abbr>and make treatment more challenging. These include: </p>

<ul><li><strong>Mood disorders. </strong>Many adults with <abbr>ADHD </abbr>also have depression, bipolar disorder or another mood disorder. While mood problems aren't necessarily due directly to <abbr>ADHD </abbr>, a repeated pattern of failures and frustrations due to <abbr>ADHD </abbr>can worsen depression. </li><li><strong>Anxiety disorders. </strong>Anxiety disorders occur fairly often in adults with <abbr>ADHD </abbr>. Anxiety disorders may cause overwhelming worry, nervousness and other symptoms. Anxiety can be made worse by the challenges and setbacks caused by <abbr>ADHD </abbr>. </li><li><strong>Other psychiatric disorders. </strong>Adults with <abbr>ADHD </abbr>are at increased risk of other psychiatric disorders, such as personality disorders, intermittent explosive disorder and substance use disorders. </li><li><strong>Learning disabilities. </strong>Adults with <abbr>ADHD </abbr>may score lower on academic testing than would be expected for their age, intelligence and education. Learning disabilities can include problems with understanding and communicating. </li> </ul>

<ol><li>Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. https://dsm.psychiatryonline.org. Accessed Jan. 26, 2019. </li><li>Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml. Accessed Jan. 26, 2019. </li><li>AskMayoExpert. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2017. </li><li>What is ADHD? American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd. Accessed Jan. 26, 2019. </li><li>ADHD. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/ADHD/Overview. Accessed Jan. 26, 2019. </li><li>Adult ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder). Anxiety and Depression Association of America. https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/other-related-conditions/adult-adhd. Accessed Feb. 11, 2019. </li><li>Geffen J, et al. Treatment of adult ADHD: A clinical perspective. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. 2018;8:25. </li><li>Adult ADHD. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. https://www.aamft.org/Consumer_Updates/Adult_ADHD.aspx. Accessed Feb. 11, 2019. </li><li>Kooij JJS, et al. Updated European consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD. European Psychiatry. 2019;56:14. </li><li>Fields SA, et al. Adult ADHD: Addressing a unique set of challenges. Journal of Family Practice. 2017;66:68. </li><li>Mitchell JT, et al. Mindfulness meditation training for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adulthood: Current empirical support, treatment overview, and future direction. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. 2015;22:172. </li><li>Bhagia J (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 13, 2019. </li><li>Hyperthyroidism (overactive). American Thyroid Association. https://www.thyroid.org/hyperthyroidism/. Accessed June 13, 2019. </li><li>Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/low-blood-glucose-hypoglycemia. Accessed June 13, 2019. </li> </ol>

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Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

What are the 9 main symptoms of ADHD?

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