One in four American adults suspect they have undiagnosed ADHD, a new study finds, but only 13% have shared their concerns with a doctor.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a developmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. About 4.4% of adults 18 to 44 have ADHD, according to Ohio State University researchers who oversaw the August survey of 1,006 adults.
“Anxiety, depression and ADHD — all of these things can look very similar, but the wrong treatment can make things worse instead of helping that person feel better and improve their functioning,” said psychologist and assistant Ohio State clinical professor. Justin Barterian.
Barterian said adults may realize they have undiagnosed ADHD after their children are diagnosed and they notice they have similar symptoms.
Dr. Robert Dicker, associate director of child and adolescent psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital, said sometimes he will diagnose a child with ADHD and begin treatment — only to have one of the child’s parents admit that they have long struggled with ADHD. the same symptoms.
“Often with adults, they tell me their parents didn’t believe they had ADHD, that it was disgusting, the school system didn’t support them, or they were stigmatized not because they had ADHD, but because they were poor students and bad kids. ,” Dicker, who was not involved in the new research, told the Post.
ADHD tends to run in families. Environmental factors, such as brain injuries, premature birth, and childhood lead exposure, can also increase the chances of a diagnosis.
Barterian said social media videos have recently introduced people to ADHD symptoms.
A 2022 study published in the journal European Psychiatry found that many young people are self-diagnosing themselves with ADHD after watching TikToks about the issue. The authors of that study said these discussions can reduce mental health stigmas, but the video’s creators are often not experts in the field.
“If you’re seeing videos on social media and it makes you think you might meet the criteria for the disorder, I would encourage you to get an evaluation from a psychologist, a psychiatrist or a doctor to get it checked out,” Barterian said. . .
He reports that many adults with ADHD have problems with memory and concentration, but children tend to experience hyperactivity more than adults.
Symptoms may worsen with stress, conflict, or increased life demands.
“The symptoms of ADHD can look different between different people,” Barterian said. “Some people may have more difficulty focusing in lectures or with organization, while others may have more social difficulties with impulsivity and difficulty following conversations.”
Treatments include stimulants to help improve focus and concentration and therapy to manage symptoms and develop coping strategies.
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