Adult ADD/ADHD 101. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) causes disruption in every major area of life and while more children with the disorder are being identified and treated, adults are often overlooked.
Many stressed, overworked, and multitasking adults sometimes wonder if their forgetfulness and distractibility are side effects of a hectic lifestyle — or symptoms of adult ADHD. Researchers believe that 4.4 percent, or roughly 9 million adults in the United States, have ADHD — a condition marked by problems with concentration, memory, and impulse control — and that the majority of them have not been diagnosed or treated. However, while many adults at times feel unfocused and spaced out, people with ADHD have had symptoms since childhood that have caused major life disruptions — especially in school, work, and relationships.
"This is a disorder of chronic, long-standing, unchanging disorganization, inattention, and forgetfulness," said Dr. ADHD Management - Control Your Life. ADHD Symptoms, Medication, Treatment, Diagnosis, Parenting ADD Children and More: Information from ADDitude.