ADD: How does ADD affect Adults?

By: Anoushka Chandra (Grade 10)

Though ADD affects everyone who has it, it’s typically most caught in children and teens–that too, in younger boys. A study published by the American Journey of Psychiatry determined that,

in the United States, approximately 4.4% of adults have ADD, and of these, nearly 85% go undiagnosed or untreated. This high percentage of undiagnosed cases is partially because ADD was thought to be a childhood disorder, one that many would grow out of, which can lead to adults not considering it as a possibility. So how does this affect adults currently?

Globally, ADD presence varies, but is often under-recognized and undiagnosed in adults, many of whom have masked their symptoms with coping mechanisms or whose symptoms are not as prevalent–which can further complicate diagnosis.

We all know how ADD affects children–it’s typically seen as the inability to focus or the ability to hyperfocus, excessive talking, and the inability to stay still. Before being more widely recognized, these symptoms were classified as laziness or being a disobedient child, but, some adults, who were not treated in their childhood or who were unaware of their condition, may be unaware of their case due to symptoms being mistaken for stress or other conditions, or because they had the same symptoms in childhood that worsened as life demands increased, which they may have believed were part of simply growing up.

While ADD is not overly dangerous when left undiagnosed, individuals with ADD may struggle with their symptoms as it can seem as though they are trying their best and still are unable to succeed. ADD can hinder seemingly simple tasks such as time management, organization, and communication, which can lead to bigger losses in relationships and work. Adults with ADD may have adapted to their situation, talking to a professional can help determine healthy and beneficial coping mechanisms, medication, or alternate routes that can help them manage their disorder appropriately.