ADHD in Adults vs. Children

About 9% of children and 4% of adults have ADHD. ADHD — attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — makes paying attention and focusing on tasks difficult. It can affect school performance and learning for children or work performance and relationships for adults.

Children and adults can have this disorder, but it impacts everyone’s lives differently. ADHD is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Treatment can improve your or your child’s ability to focus and act appropriately in social situations.

Latif Ziyar, MD is an expert psychiatrist specializing in ADHD and other common conditions. Read on to learn more about ADHD and how signs vary between adults and children. If you suspect you or your child has ADHD, book a consultation with Dr. Ziyar online, or call our office today.

Signs of ADHD in kids

Most children with ADHD are first diagnosed when behavior or performance in school begins to become a problem. Although boys are three times more likely to have ADHD, girls can have it, too.

Children with ADHD may suffer from poor performance in school and difficulty maintaining friendships. Common signs of ADHD in children include:

• Inability to sit still
• Inability to wait their turn
• Inability to play or work quietly
• Being disruptive or not listening in class
• Constantly running or climbing
• Excessive talking

Both boys and girls living with ADHD benefit from diagnosis and treatment. If left untreated, ADHD can increase your child’s risk of developing learning difficulties, anxiety, and depression.

Signs of ADHD in adults

Up to 60% of people with ADHD as children still have it as adults. The signs of ADHD change, however, as you get older. Adults with ADHD can exhibit symptoms like:

• Fidgeting
• Inability to sit still for a long period
• Impatience
• Low tolerance for frustration
• Recklessness
• Careless mistakes
• Excessive talking
• Interrupting others

As an adult, ADHD can make it difficult or impossible to focus at work. It’s common to experience memory problems and difficulty focusing. Some people struggle with maintaining personal relationships.

Adults who have six or more symptoms of ADHD lasting more than six months may have ADHD. See Dr. Ziyar for a complete evaluation and official diagnosis.

Treatment options for ADHD

Following an ADHD diagnosis, Dr. Ziyar takes a holistic approach to treating the condition in adults and children. He evaluates patients of all ages with a biophysical model that takes biological, psychological, and social factors into account.

Most people with ADHD respond well to a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Therapy focuses on giving patients helpful tools to improve their own behavior and cope with feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

Kids and adults alike often see the most benefit when they take an active role in their treatment. Adults may see improvement by making changes at work that facilitate increased focus, while kids can benefit from implementing changes at school to make focusing easier.

If your child has ADHD, partnering with teachers, school faculty, coaches, and other leaders can set them up for success academically and socially. Understanding how ADHD affects social situations can help you or your child overcome these challenges.

Find ADHD treatment that works for you or your child. Book your first appointment with Dr. Ziyar online or on the phone today.