ADHD In Adults (cont.)
School-related impairments linked to adult ADHD
Adults with ADHD may have:
- Had a history of poorer educational performance and were underachievers
- Had more frequent school disciplinary actions
- Had to repeat a grade
- Dropped out of school more often
Work-related impairments linked to adult ADHD
- Change employers frequently and perform poorly
- Have had fewer occupational achievements, independent of psychiatric status
Social-related impairments linked to adult ADHD
Adults with ADHD are more likely to:
- Have a lower socioeconomic status.
- Have driving violations such as: be cited for speeding; have their licenses suspended; be involved in more crashes; rate themselves and others as using poorer driving habits.
- Use illegal substances more frequently.
- Smoke cigarettes.
- Self-report psychological maladjustment more often.
Relationship-related impairments linked to adult ADHD
Adults with ADHD are more likely to:
- Have more marital problems and multiple marriages.
- Have higher incidence of separation and divorce.
Much of this functional impairment diminishes with remission of the disorder and can be mitigated by appropriate treatment.
How is adult ADHD diagnosed?
While researchers may disagree about age of childhood onset in diagnosing adult ADHD, all agree that ADHD is not an adult-onset disorder and must be verified from childhood. An assessment of ADHD symptoms and behavior from childhood may include any or all of the following:
- A questionnaire to determine if the adult had ADHD in childhood.
- School report cards, if available, to look for comments about behavior problems, poor focus, lack of effort or underachievement relative to the student's potential.
- Discussion with the parents to determine any symptoms during childhood.
- A complete history from the adult with the symptoms. He or she may self report symptoms in childhood.
- The developmental history would be consistent with ADHD, including evidence of problems with peers, other delays such as bed wetting, school failure, suspensions, or special interventions such as sitting in front of the class, etc.
A strong family history of ADHD may also be informative, given the strong genetic component of the disorder.
Other examinations may also be performed, including:
- A physical exam to rule out medical or neurological illness.
- An EEG, CT, or MRI.
- Psychoeducational testing (for example: IQ test, achievement testing) if a learning disability is suspected.
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