A new national survey of 1,000 people found that 25 percent of adults now suspect they may have undiagnosed attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Although people typically think of ADHD as a childhood condition, more adults now believe that difficulties with attention, focus, and restlessness could be undiagnosed ADHD, thanks in large part to trending social media videos racking up millions of views, according to researchers at The Ohio State University in Columbus, which commissioned the survey.
“I think that the findings of the survey indicate that many people are concerned about their ability to pay attention,” says psychologist Justin Barterian, PhD, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral health at Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University.
Within our society, there are multiple demands on our attention and in general people feel like they can’t keep up, he says.
Many experts are concerned that those pressures, and the feelings they bring up, could be leading to self-diagnosis and in many cases, incorrect treatment.
ADHD Shares Symptoms With Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Health Disorders
“Anxiety, depression, and ADHD — all these things can look a lot alike, but the wrong treatment can make things worse instead of helping that person feel better and improving their functioning,” says Dr. Barterian.
Previous estimates suggested that 4 percent of adults, or about eight to nine million people, have ADHD, says Lenard Adler, MD, a professor of psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and director of the Adult ADHD program at NYU Langone Health in New York City.
Although the term “ADHD” sometimes gets used as shorthand for occasions when we feel distracted or have trouble focusing, it’s very much a real disorder, says Dr. Adler, who wasn’t involved in the survey.
“ADHD is the second most common mental health disorder in the United States,” he says.
Some Adults Realize They Have ADHD After Their Children Are Diagnosed
Study data was collected from over 1,000 people between August 16 and 18, 2024, and weighted to reflect the overall U.S. population of people 18 and older.
The survey found that younger adults are more likely to believe they have undiagnosed ADHD than older generations, and they’re also more likely to seek a diagnosis and treatment.
For many adults, the “aha” moment may come once their kids have been diagnosed and they realize they experience some symptoms as well, given that it’s a genetic disorder, says Barterian.
The Different Types of ADHD
The three types of ADHD include:
- Inattentive ADHD This type is characterized by an inability to pay attention and distractibility. It also is known as attention-deficit disorder (ADD).
- Hyperactive and Impulsive ADHD Hyperactivity in adults can look like restlessness, constant fidgeting, or excessive talking. Impulsivity can mean making important decisions without thinking them through, but also a frequent desire for instant gratification.
- Combined ADHD This type causes inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Adult ADHD Starts as Childhood ADHD?
Adults with ADHD have problems with paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are severe enough to cause ongoing challenges at school, work, and home. These symptoms are persistent and disruptive.
The roots of the disorder must go back to childhood, with significant symptoms before age 12, says Adler. “That’s what distinguishes it from people that have a major stressor in their lives and are having some trouble paying attention or feel restless because they’re anxious,” he says.
How Is Adult ADHD Different From ADHD in Children?
Hyperactivity as a symptom is typically less common in adults than in children. For adults, key symptoms are struggling with memory and concentration issues, which can worsen in times of stress or conflict.
“Symptoms of ADHD in adults include symptoms of inattention such as forgetfulness, difficulty sustaining attention, and frequently losing things. While adults also can display symptoms of hyperactivity like fidgeting or talking too much, hyperactivity symptoms often improve into adulthood, often replaced by more of an ‘internal restlessness,’” says Barterian.
Women May Have Different ADHD Symptoms Than Men
Symptoms of ADHD may be different in women and girls compared with men and boys.
“In general, women tend to exhibit more of the inattentive symptoms while men may exhibit more hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. This is especially true for children, which is often why girls are more likely to be diagnosed when they are older compared to boys,” says Barterian.
Why Do So Many People Suspect They Have ADHD?
Even if the prevalence of adult ADHD has risen in the last few years, the percentage of people who suspect they have ADHD in the survey is very high. Is there something going on that makes people think that they aren’t functioning at the level that they should be?
The answer is complex, says Barterian.
“Within our society, ‘hustle culture’ is often idealized, and people may have unrealistic expectations about what they can accomplish in a day,” he says.
Similarly, a lot of other mental health issues also resemble symptoms of ADHD, says Barterian.
“For instance, anxiety, depression, and PTSD also impact attention and can be confused for symptoms of ADHD,” he says.
Why Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Is Important
Many studies have found that adults with ADHD who don’t get treatment are more likely to have issues such as getting divorced or separated, and are more prone to substance abuse (including smoking) and car accidents, says Adler.
People who suspect they may have ADHD should talk to a medical professional, usually a primary care provider, who can provide a referral for an evaluation from a psychologist or psychiatrist, says Barterian.
Treatments for adult ADHD can make a big difference. “The most efficacious treatment for ADHD are stimulant medications, such as Adderall and Vyvanse. Cognitive behavioral therapy targeted at improving executive functioning skills (organization, scheduling) has also been found to be helpful,” Barterian says.
