ADHD in adults

Chaos reigns

Adults with ADHD are often very disorganized, not concentrated, distracted and forgetful, and they find it hard to distinguish between important and unimportant things. They quickly lose track of what they do and they cause their environment, even though they do not want to, to become chaotic as well.

Similar to children with AHDH, adults respond, above all, to intense external stimuli. They become violent, angry or irritated. Enduring an event or situation that arises, usually seems very hard to them. Instead, they are rather erratic and often act out of the moment, without considering the consequences of their actions.

The psyche is affected

However, adults with ADHD do not normally make an appointment with their doctor in the case of classic symptoms such as failure to concentrate and impulsiveness, rather because of the side effects: mood swings, depression, or anxiety. These are among the typical manifestations that affected adults have. One moment they are euphoric, and the next they fall into an emotional depression. This is an aspect 40% of those affected suffer from, and their emotional life is like a roller coaster ride.

The body’s reaction

Due to these mental disorders and the therefore related emotional stress, ADHD can also lead to physical symptoms, such as high blood pressure and diabetes or psychosomatic illnesses, such as headaches, feelings of anxiety, palpitations, or restless leg syndrome.

Adults with ADHD are at an increased risk of developing an eating disorder and substance abuse problem. This is most commonly with alcohol, drugs, nicotine and medications.

The performance is affected

Although people with ADHD often have high intellectual abilities, problems such as a reading and writing disability remain partially in adulthood.

While some of those who are affected have learned very well,  as adults, to deal with the impairments caused by their disturbed stimulus processing, others still have huge problems in different areas of life.

Stressed relationships

Many adults with ADHD experience rejection in both family and professional environments, due to their impulsive, chaotic manner and their mood swings. In work, they feel bullied and the couple's relationship is heavily strained. In fact, the separation rate in families where one member has ADHD is four times higher than in non-affected families. If a child is also affected, parents often reach their limits and child abuse is not uncommon. 

Failure at work

Many adults with ADHD experience rejection in both family and professional environments, due to their impulsive, chaotic manner and their mood swings. In work, they feel bullied and the couple's relationship is heavily strained. In fact, the separation rate in families where one member has ADHD is four times higher than in non-affected families. If a child is also affected, parents often reach their limits and child abuse is not uncommon. 

Increased accident and suicide risk

In addition, victims often lose track of their financial matters and get into debt ... and because of their uncontrolled behavior, the risk of becoming delinquent, having accidents or committing suicide is higher in adults with ADHD.

Creative job opportunities

Creative professions, in particular, offer people with ADHD the possibility to turn disadvantages into advantages: Their original ideas, their ingenuity and tireless activism, often perceived as disruptive at school, suddenly appear in another light and can lead to amazing results. Many people suffering from ADHD work as artists, scientists and computer specialists.