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Everyone misplaces their keys or runs late now and then. But if you’re constantly losing things, forgetting why you walked into a room, or missing deadlines despite your best efforts, you may be showing patterns of ADD or ADHD. Here are the common ADD and ADHD symptoms and warning signs to watch for across the lifespan, as well as your options for treatment.
What’s the Difference Between ADD and ADHD?
ADD and ADHD may sound like two separate disorders, but they’re more related than you think. Attention deficit disorder is an outdated term that was used to describe individuals who showed symptoms of inattention without hyperactivity. Today, ADD falls under the umbrella of ADHD, which can be broken down into three types:
- Primarily inattentive type (formerly ADD)
- Primarily hyperactive-impulsive type
- Combined type, featuring inattentive and hyperactive symptoms
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how the brain develops and functions in areas responsible for attention, impulse control, emotional regulation, and executive function. If ADHD is left undiagnosed, it can have serious consequences at work or school and within close relationships.
Although it’s frequently diagnosed in childhood, many people, especially girls and women, don’t receive a diagnosis until adulthood. Experts believe this may be due to how the symptoms show up in boys vs. girls. In boys, ADHD may present as loud and disruptive behaviors.
However, in girls, ADHD symptoms aren’t as obvious. They may include forgetfulness, daydreaming, disorganization, or internalized anxiety and low self-esteem. As a result, many women grow up thinking they’re a failure and bad at life when really, they’re struggling with underlying ADHD.
What Causes ADHD?
The exact cause of ADHD is still under research; however, studies show it may be caused by several biological and environmental factors. These include:
- Genetics. ADHD is heritable by 77-88% according to twin and family studies.
- Prenatal risk factors. Exposure to certain conditions in the womb can raise your risk, including maternal smoking or substance use, high levels of maternal stress, exposure to environment toxins, and birth complications.
- Childhood trauma, neglect, or chronic stress. These events may make symptoms more intense in genetically vulnerable children.
Differences in brain structure. Imaging studies show ADHD may cause delayed or smaller development in the prefrontal cortex (focus, planning, and self-control), cerebellum (physical restlessness and motor inhibition), and hippocampus and amygdala (memory, emotion, and behavior regulation).
ADHD Symptoms to Look For Based on Age
ADHD symptoms can show up differently depending on your age. However, they still fall under the three main categories:
- Inattention (not being able to maintain steady focus)
- Hyperactivity (inappropriate movement in certain settings)
- Impulsivity (acting in the moment without thinking about consequences)
Here’s a breakdown of how ADHD typically looks in children, teens, and adults.
Children
ADHD can be hard to spot in young kids because they’re naturally energetic and forgetful. However, if their behavior is more disruptive rather than innocent, it could indicate ADHD. Symptoms to watch for include:
- The child might have trouble staying focused.
- The child appears not to listen when they are spoken to.
- The child has difficulty remembering details and following even simple instructions.
- The child struggles with staying organized, planning, and finishing projects on time, or at all.
- The child frequently loses or misplaces homework, books, toys, or other items.
Symptoms may also look different between home and school, depending on the environment and expectations.
Teens
Adolescents with ADHD face increasing pressure at school along with more responsibilities and hormonal changes. Symptoms to watch for include:
- They may be predominantly inattentive, even when doing activities they enjoy.
- They may be extremely hyperactive/impulsive or act immature for their age.
- Having the combination of hyperactivity and being inattentive is a clear sign that there is something going on that needs to be addressed.
Additionally, teens with ADHD are more likely to experiment with drugs, alcohol, or tobacco as a way to cope with their symptoms. If you notice changes in behavior or mood, it may be time to seek professional help.
Adults
6% of adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with ADHD with half of them not receiving a diagnosis until adulthood. Without proper treatment as a child, they may have grown up to believe they’re forgetful, scattered, or motivated. Symptoms of adult ADHD include:
- They are often late for important family or social gatherings.
- They find it difficult to follow directions and stay on task, regardless of how hard they try.
- They always seem to be talking, interrupting, and losing track of the conversation.
- They might have a severe lack of overall organization.
Another sign to watch for in adults is whether they’re having trouble falling or staying asleep. About 60% of adults with ADHD have a sleep disorder, including those struggling with the following comorbid conditions:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Substance use disorder
- Personality disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
How is ADHD Treated?
ADHD is treated with medication, therapy, or a combination of both. A treatment plan will be customized and specific to your goals and needs. Common treatments include:
- Stimulant medications like Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, and Concerta improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and help with hyperactivity. However, they also carry a risk of misuse.
- Non-stimulant medications such as Straterra, Intuniv, Kapvay, or Qelbree are used with stimulants that aren’t effective or a safe option.
- Therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and neurofeedback, teach coping skills to better manage symptoms.
- Behavioral parent training teaches parents how to set clear rules, implement rewards and consequences, and build routines. As kids get older, sticker charts can be replaced with consequences like chores or losing privileges. Parent training combined with standard treatment has been shown to reduce ADHD symptoms and improve quality of life.
- ADHD coaching involves coaches helping people learn time management skills, organization systems, self-motivation, and confidence.
Treating ADHD and Co-Occurring Issues
ADHD is often accompanied by other mental health conditions. In fact, up to 60% of children and as many as 80% of adults with ADHD have at least one co-occurring mental health condition.
Common co-occurring disorders include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Substance use disorders
- OCD
- PTSD
Treatment plans should take all conditions into consideration. For example, someone with ADHD and anxiety may need medication to help them focus and therapy to help them learn calming and grounding techniques.
ADHD and Self-Medication
ADHD is a difficult disorder to live with, especially if it is untreated. Many times, people with ADHD are belittled for their shortcomings, like being late, having to be told directions repeatedly, and being unable to finish tasks. This can cause a person’s self-esteem to plummet, which leads to self-medicating, to fill the void created by their inability to please those around them. Sadly, 1 in 5 adults with ADHD struggle with substance abuse.
The following are substances that may be used to self-medicate ADHD symptoms:
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Cigarettes
- Illegal drugs, including cocaine and heroin
- Marijuana
Marijuana specifically has become increasingly common amongst people with ADHD. Studies show that over half of daily and non-daily cannabis users have ADHD. However, while cannabis is legal in many places, it can:
- Worsen memory and motivation
- Impair decision-making and emotional regulation
- Trigger or exacerbate anxiety, depression, or panic
Self-medication may seem like it helps with your symptoms, but the reality is marijuana (and other substances) can make your symptoms even worse.
Get the Help You Need at Mission Harbor Behavioral Health
Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? If you think you, your child, or someone you care about may be struggling with ADD and ADHD symptoms, help is available. ADHD is treatable at any age, but the first step is getting the proper diagnosis.
The compassionate mental health providers at Mission Harbor Behavioral Health offer comprehensive ADHD evaluations and treatment plans that are specific to each patient. From therapy to medication management, we’re committed to treating you with your best interests in mind.
Don’t wait for your symptoms to get worse. Schedule an ADHD consultation today.
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If you or a loved one are struggling with ADD, ADHD, or a co-occurring substance abuse issue, please contact our admissions team today for a free and confidential assessment.