For a lot of people, ADHD is associated with childhood — a disorder that disappears once you enter adulthood.
But experts say this isn’t the case, with the Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada noting around four to six per cent of adults, or about 1.8 million Canadians, are affected by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, compared to five to seven per cent of kids. There is also a  for their ADHD.
“People thought people outgrew ADHD like ‘Poof, it went away at 17 or 18,’” said Doron Almagor, a psychiatrist and former chair of the Advisory Council for the Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA).
“Of course it doesn’t. It’s a neurodevelopmental disorder and it’s there throughout people’s lifespan in one way or another.”
Posts and videos on social media often spread misinformation on the disorder.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re an adult who thinks you have ADHD.
With greater awareness of adult ADHD, there is also a risk of more self-diagnoses based on
I’m an adult. How can I tell if I have ADHD?
Like children with ADHD, adults can be hyperactive or struggle with inattention. But experts say these signs might be harder to spot.
For one, many people have developed coping strategies or skills to overcome potential signs of ADHD by adulthood.
“Adults have better tools often to deal with those symptoms,” said Vasileia Karasavva, a PhD student at the University of British Columbia who has worked on studies related to adult ADHD. “But you would see them seep through in situations where they have to use a lot of cognitive load or things are really difficult or complicated.”
This can include needing multiple calendars to keep track of tasks, meetings or social obligations. It might also mean requiring more effort for tasks others can handle more easily.
Almagor added that some adults with ADHD might not even think they have the disorder because they did well in school as a kid.
On the flip side, Caley Shukalek, the chief medical officer for online ADHD clinic Frida, cautioned against assuming any sign of hyperactivity or inattention means you have ADHD.
“Everyone’s ability to focus intently on things is changing,” Shukalek said, pointing to the rise of short-form content on TikTok and Instagram. “There need to have been symptoms throughout life, or at least kind of in those early school years.
“How those symptoms manifest can change slightly over time.”
How can I get an ADHD diagnosis?
While people can do a self-assessment, experts recommend going to a medical professional for a formal diagnosis.
Interviews and neurocognitive tests may be needed. Doctors will also likely interview friends and family
For adults, doctors may also ask for copies of old school report cards to determine if symptoms have been present before age 12 — the age doctors say is key for diagnosing cases of ADHD is children and adults.
“Teachers will often say things that a trained psychologist or psychiatrist would pick up as signs of ADHD,” Karasavva said, “Like ‘Oh this kid is great and really smart but he can’t sit in his seat for very long.’”
According to Almagor, people should ideally go to their primary care physician for this testing — acknowledging not everyone has a family doctor, or that these doctors may not be trained to diagnose ADHD.
In these cases, Almagor said patients can go to a walk-in clinic to see a nurse practitioner.Â
He added that, in most cases, OHIP will cover ADHD diagnostic tests. When testing involves a psychologist, often not part of OHIP, that people pay out of pocket.
Getting a formal diagnosis is important, experts said, because many ADHD symptoms overlap with other mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.
“You want to make sure the diagnosis is right and that you’re treating the right health issue,” said Shukalek.
A diagnosis can also serve as a “road map,” Almagor said, explaining that consequences of untreated ADHD can include higher rates of injury or substance abuse.
The wait-list for an appointment is long — what should I do?
The wait-list for ADHD diagnostic testing can be long, particularly if people seek tests through their physician.
But experts said there are ways people can manage their ADHD while waiting, or even to get tested faster.
Seeking out behavioural therapy or talking with others can help, Karasavva said.Â
For those who want to get a test quicker, Almagor said “instant clinics” run by nurse practitioners are an option — although he still recommends people wait to see a physician or psychologist if they can.
What medications or treatments are available?
Many of the same medications prescribed to children with ADHD work with adults, though dosages may differ.
These drugs often target the stimulant side of the brain, which, according to Shukalek, is widely recognized to be the neurobiological cause of ADHD. There are non-stimulant-based drugs available, he added, but these weren’t as effective in clinical trials.
All three experts who spoke to the Star recommended therapy alongside medication.
“Issues with concentration, with problem solving, with making decisions, this can definitely be addressed in therapy,” Karasavva said.
How to avoid misinformation
Earlier this year, Karasavva authored a study out of UBC that found the 100 most-viewed TikTok videos related to ADHD included information not aligned with clinical guidelines.
She doesn’t like to refer to the videos as misinformation, but said the posts’ contents should be taken with a grain of salt.Â
Some of the information may be signs of ADHD, but they could also be explained by another disorder or “might just be part of the human experience.”
To avoid falling for the information in these posts and videos, Karasavva recommends checking with reliable sources — and following the money.
“Many of the content creators were directly asking for money or selling things to cure ADHD,” she explained, “So this is always a good sign to be a little bit more skeptical.”
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation