What is attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) historically was considered to be a disease of childhood, affecting 4 to 12 percent of school age children. It is now thought to persist into adult life in 10 to 60 percent of cases and is present in about 4.5 percent of adults [1, 2]. Signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults include difficulty getting started on tasks, variable attention to details, difficulties with self-organization and with prioritization, and poor persistence in tasks that require sustained mental effort. He or she may struggle with impulsiveness and low frustration tolerance. Hyperactivity is unusual but the person may describe a sense of inner restlessness. Many adults with ADHD have chaotic lifestyles or have trouble at work. They may rely on drugs or alcohol to “get by,” and they also often have associated psychiatric disorders. They are more likely to have motor vehicle accidents and receive citations for speeding. Adults with ADHD have four times the prevalence of
