Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, is typically considered a childhood condition. But more and more adults are realizing that their difficulties with attention, concentration and restlessness could actually be undiagnosed ADHD, thanks in large part to trending videos on social media that have racked up millions of views.
A new national survey of 1,000 American adults commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine finds that 25% of adults now suspect they may have undiagnosed ADHD. But what worries mental health experts is that only 13% of those surveyed have shared their suspicions with their doctor.
This raises concerns about the consequences of self-diagnosis leading to incorrect treatment.
“Anxiety, depression, and ADHD—all of these things can look a lot alike, but the wrong treatment can make things worse rather than helping the person feel better and improve their functioning,” said psychologist Justin Barterian, PhD, assistant clinical professor at Ohio. State Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health.
An estimated 4.4% of people ages 18 to 44 have ADHD, and some people are not diagnosed until they are older, Barterian said.
“There is definitely more awareness of how it can continue to affect people into adulthood and many people are realizing, once their children have been diagnosed, that they too have these symptoms, given that it is a genetic disorder,” Barterian stated.
The survey found that younger adults are more likely to believe they have undiagnosed ADHD than older generations, and they are also more likely to do something about it.
Barterian said that should include seeing a medical professional, usually your primary care provider, for a referral to a mental health expert to be thoroughly evaluated, accurately diagnosed and treated effectively.
“If you are watching videos on social media and it makes you think you might meet the criteria for the disorder, I recommend that you seek an evaluation from a psychologist, psychiatrist or doctor to get checked out,” Barterian said. .
What is ADHD in adults? Adults who struggle with ADHD will have problems paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are severe enough to cause ongoing challenges at school, work, and home. These symptoms are persistent and disturbing and often date back to childhood.
ADHD in adults occurs in:
- Adults who were diagnosed as children, but symptoms continue into adulthood.
- Adults who are diagnosed for the first time, despite having experienced symptoms from a younger age that had been ignored or misdiagnosed.
Hyperactivity as a symptom is usually less present in adults than in children. Many adults with ADHD struggle with memory and concentration problems. ADHD symptoms often worsen with stress, conflict, or increased life demands.
What are the common types of ADHD? The three types of ADHD are:
- inattentive ADHD – Inability to pay attention and distraction. This is also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD).
- Hyperactive and impulsive ADHD — Hyperactivity and impulsivity.
- combined ADHD — This type causes inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
ADHD can be difficult to diagnose in adults because some of the symptoms are similar to other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety.
“ADHD symptoms can look different in different people,” Barterian said. “Some people may have more difficulty concentrating in lectures or with organization, while others may have more social difficulties with impulsivity and problems following conversations.”
Survey methodology This study was carried out by SSRS on its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform. The SSRS Omnibus Opinion Panel is a national probability-based survey, conducted twice a month. Data collection was conducted from August 16 to 18, 2024, among a sample of 1,006 respondents. The survey was conducted via web (n=975) and telephone (n=31) and was administered in English. The margin of error for the total number of respondents is +/-3.8 percentage points with a confidence level of 95%. All overall SSRS Opinion Panel data are weighted to represent the target population of U.S. adults ages 18 and older. ###