Adult ADHD can feel overwhelming
Everyone has their own ADHD journey. The more you understand about your diagnosis, the better you can navigate your treatment.
Understanding signs and symptoms of ADHD in adulthood
Did you know ADHD symptoms can be different in children and adults?
If you were diagnosed with ADHD as a child, your symptoms might have changed as you entered adulthood. You may find yourself more distracted versus the more hyperactive signs of childhood ADHD.
What are some common signs of ADHD in adults?
Some symptoms of predominantly inattentive ADHD can include:
- Often failing to give close attention to details, like making frequent errors at work
- Difficulty starting, paying attention to, and completing tasks
- Trouble listening when spoken to
- Often losing or forgetting important items, like your phone or keys
Some symptoms of predominantly hyperactive and impulsive ADHD can include:
- Trouble staying seated or fidgeting
- Feeling restless or always “on the go”
- Interrupting others often
- Feeling impatient when forced to wait in line or wait for someone else to finish a task
Combined (inattentive/hyperactive-impulsive) ADHD looks like a combination of both types of ADHD. As with any diagnosis, the conversation should always start with your doctor.
Did you know women are often less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD?
That doesn’t mean there isn’t a prevalence of ADHD in females. Women tend to mask or overcompensate for their symptoms, leading to a missed diagnosis of ADHD.
It may be time to reflect on your adult ADHD treatment approach
You have more options now than ever before. Talk to your doctor to help build a treatment plan that’s right for you.
ADHD can show up differently in women and men
Everyone experiences ADHD differently. And while gender can’t completely predict someone’s ADHD journey, there can be differences in how men and women present their ADHD symptoms, and at what age they’re getting diagnosed. Let’s get into it.
Women with ADHD are more likely to:
- Experience symptoms of inattentive ADHD, which can be less obvious than hyperactive and impulsive symptoms. These include being disorganized, distracted, overwhelmed, or trouble initiating tasks
- Mask or overcompensate for their symptoms, leading to a delayed diagnosis
- Get diagnosed in adulthood, despite having dealt with ADHD symptoms since childhood. In fact, most women with ADHD don’t receive an accurate diagnosis until their late 30s or early 40s
- Experience fluctuations in the severity of their ADHD symptoms over the course of their hormone cycles
Did you know? The percentage of women newly diagnosed with ADHD between 23-29 and 30-49 years of age nearly doubled in just two years, from 2020-2022
Men with ADHD are more likely to:
- Experience symptoms of hyperactive and impulsive ADHD
- Get diagnosed in childhood, as they’re more likely to act out in the classroom or at home
- Engage in “externalizing” behavior, or hyperactive/impulsive behaviors directed outwardly towards other people or one’s environment
Both men’s and women’s ADHD experiences are challenging and valid. But if we’re to close this diagnosis gap, knowing how they may differ is key. Luckily, as ADHD awareness continues to rise, so do the number of women getting diagnosed and treated. Let’s keep the good progress going.
A quick tool to help reflect on your ADHD
Even as ADHD awareness continues to grow, it can be easy for adults to feel alone in their day-to-day struggles.
Take a look at these ADHD tools for adults and see which of these common adult ADHD experiences you can relate to.
Is your treatment plan currently meeting your needs as an adult?
There are currently two types of treatment options for ADHD: stimulants and non-stimulants.
Managing your ADHD involves periodically reviewing your treatment needs. Some questions to ask yourself include:
- Are you on treatment?
- Is it meeting your goals?
- Do you ever feel the need to take “drug holidays” or breaks from your medication?
How much do you know about non-stimulant ADHD treatments?
Non-stimulants work differently than stimulants to help reduce ADHD symptoms. They may take a little longer to be fully effective, but some patients saw results with Qelbree as early as week 2.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications like Qelbree are a non-controlled substance and have no potential for abuse compared to stimulants
Ask your doctor if a non-stimulant like Qelbree could be right for you.
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What is Qelbree?
Qelbree is the first non-stimulant approved for adult ADHD in over 20 years.