(ADD) ADHD at Different Ages

(ADD) ADHD in Early Childhood

Because most young children are at times restless, inattentive, and impulsive, reliable signs of ADHD don’t usually emerge until children are at least six years old. Children who have ADHD tend to daydream, listen and focus poorly, forget things, fidget and talk excessively, and blurt and interrupt, and they have trouble taking turns. They may have trouble getting along with their peers and following the rules of a classroom environment. Their difficulty with following directions and completing tasks, along with social trouble, can cause them to lose confidence and perform poorly in school.

(ADD) ADHD in Adolescence

For teenagers with ADHD, the typical challenges of adolescence can be exacerbated. Problems of identity, increased independence, and social and academic pressure can be heightened by the symptoms of ADHD. Teens with ADHD are six times more likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol. And according to the National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD teens have nearly four times as many car accidents and three times as many speeding tickets as teen drivers without ADHD.

(ADD) ADHD in College

When students begin college, they are suddenly without the structure of high school and the support system of home, and the demands for organized, self-directed study are greater than ever before. These conditions can be particularly challenging for those with ADHD, who have inordinate difficulty focusing, staying on task, organizing their time, and interacting with professors and peers. For these reasons, some students with ADHD may discover the condition in college for the first time. They may find that their old academic and social coping mechanisms are no longer adequate for the rigors of college.

(ADD) ADHD in Adulthood

The National Institute for Mental Health reports that many adults with the condition are unaware they have it. They do not understand why they are restless, easily distracted, and impulsive and have trouble with day-to-day tasks such as getting dressed in the morning and getting to work on time. Often adults will discover their own ADHD when their child is diagnosed with the condition, bringing on an emotional reexamination of their personal identity and past. Having a better understanding of the source of their difficulties can be a relief, even as the realization that their problem went untreated can be painful or angering.