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Diseases » Adult ADHD » Introduction
 

Adult ADHD

Adult ADHD: Introduction

Adult ADHD, (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a common neurobehavioral developmental disorder with an onset in childhood that continues into adulthood. Children do not simply grow out of ADHD, as is often believed. Just the opposite is commonly true - the symptoms of ADHD often get worse as a child grows into adulthood. The predominant behaviors of adult ADHD are the same as in children and include:

  • Inattentiveness
  • Hyperactivity
  • Impulsivity

These behaviors result in difficulties with:

  • Concentration
  • Remaining focused on a task or activity
  • Controlling behavior
  • Hyperactivity or over-activity

The symptoms of adult ADHD can be treated, but there currently is no cure for the disorder. Most people with ADHD can be successfully treated and lead normal, productive lives at home, work, school and with friends and family. The cause or causes of ADHD are not yet known, although researchers believe that genes may be one factor in the development of the disease. It is most likely that the disorder is the result of a combination of elements, including environmental factors, traumatic head injuries, nutrition, and social influences.

Symptoms of Adult ADHD

  • Hyperactivity in adults
    • Inability to relax
    • Restlessness, nervous energy
    • Talking excessively
  • Impulsiveness in adults
  • more symptoms...»

See full list of 27 symptoms of Adult ADHD

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to Adult ADHD:

Adult ADHD: Complications

Read more about complications of Adult ADHD.

Disease Topics Related To Adult ADHD

Research the causes of these diseases that are similar to, or related to, Adult ADHD:

Diagnostic Tests for Adult ADHD

Test for Adult ADHD in your own home

Click for Tests
  • No laboratory-based medical tests are available to confirm the diagnosis
  • Basic laboratory studies that may help confirm diagnosis and aid in treatment are as follows:
  • Serum CBC count with differential
  • Electrolyte levels
  • Liver function tests (before beginning stimulant therapy)
  • more tests...»

See full list of 12 diagnostic tests for Adult ADHD

Wrongly Diagnosed with Adult ADHD?

Adult ADHD: Self Assessment Tools

Adult ADHD: Medical Mistakes

Adult ADHD: Undiagnosed Conditions

Commonly undiagnosed diseases in related medical categories:

Misdiagnosis and Adult ADHD

Mild worm infections undiagnosed in children: Human worm infestations, esp. threadworm, can be overlooked in some cases, because it may cause only mild or even absent symptoms. Although the most common symptoms...read more »

Undiagnosed stroke leads to misdiagnosed aphasia: BBC News UK reported on a man who had been institutionalized and treated for mental illness...read more »

Dementia may be a drug interaction: A common scenario in aged care is for a patient to show mental decline to dementia. Whereas this can, of course, occur due to...read more »

Mesenteric adenitis misdiagnosed as appendicitis in children: Because appendicitis is one of the more feared conditions for a child with abdominal pain, it can be...read more »

Blood pressure cuffs misdiagnose hypertension in children: One known misdiagnosis issue with hyperension, arises in relation to the simple equipment used to test blood pressure. The "cuff" around the arm to...read more »

ADHD under-diagnosed in adults: Although the over-diagnoses of ADHD in children is a well-known controversy, the reverse side related to adults. Some adults can remain undiagnosed, and indeed the condition has usually been...read more »

Bipolar disorder misdiagosed as various conditions by primary physicians: Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder) often fails to be diagnosed correctly by primary care physicians. Many patients with bipolar...read more »

Eating disorders under-diagnosed in men: The typical patient with an eating disorder is female. The result is that men with eating disorders often fail to be diagnosed or have a delayed diagnosis...read more »

Depression undiagnosed in teenagers: Serious bouts of depression can be undiagnosed in teenagers. The "normal" moodiness of teenagers can cause severe medical depression to be overlooked. See misdiagnosis of...read more »

Children with migraine often misdiagnosed: A migraine often fails to be correctly diagnosed in pediatric patients. These patients are not the typical migraine sufferers, but migraines can also occur...read more »

Undiagnosed anxiety disorders related to depression: Patients with depression (see symptoms of depression) may also have undiagnosed anxiety disorders (see symptoms of anxiety disorders). Failure to diagnose these anxiety disorders may...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Adult ADHD

Adult ADHD: Research Doctors & Specialists

Research related physicians and medical specialists:

Other doctor, physician and specialist research services:

Hospitals & Clinics: Adult ADHD

Research quality ratings and patient safety measures for medical facilities in specialties related to Adult ADHD:

Hospital & Clinic quality ratings » »

Choosing the Best Hospital: More general information, not necessarily in relation to Adult ADHD, on hospital performance and surgical care quality:

Adult ADHD: Rare Types

Rare types of diseases and disorders in related medical categories:

Treatments for Adult ADHD

Read more about treatments for Adult ADHD

News Archives for Adult ADHD

Medical news articles related to Adult ADHD include:

Source: HealthDay News

Evidence Based Medicine Research for Adult ADHD

Medical research articles related to Adult ADHD include:

Click here to find more evidence-based articles on the TRIP Database

Videos for Adult ADHD

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See full list of 4 related videos

Prognosis for Adult ADHD

Prognosis for Adult ADHD: ADD/ADHD is a lifelong disorder but may improve with treatment. Although it may be damaging to mental/social health, it is not fatal nor degenerative.

More about prognosis of Adult ADHD

Reseach about Adult ADHD

Visit our research pages for current research about Adult ADHD treatments.

Statistics for Adult ADHD

Stories from Users Related to Adult ADHD

User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Adult ADHD, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:


 » Next page: What is Adult ADHD?

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