A recent estimation of the global incidence of adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) indicates that the condition may be more prevalent than previously understood. This updated perspective likely accounts for the recent, and in some quarters doubted, surge in adult diagnoses.
An international consortium of researchers undertook an analysis of 57 studies, encompassing a total of 21 million participants. Their findings suggest that approximately 180 million adults worldwide are likely affected by ADHD.
I am among those individuals. Earlier this year, I received an ADHD diagnosis at the relatively late age of 38.
“Addressing ADHD in adults is an imperative public health concern, given that untreated cases can precipitate enduring social, physical, and psychological health complications,” stated Curtin University epidemiologist Rosa Alati.
Regrettably, individuals with ADHD exhibit a risk of suicide that is three times greater than that of the general populace.
Similar to many others, I was initially diagnosed with anxiety, and subsequently with depression, as my attempts to secure professional assistance consistently yielded only transient improvements.
The most disruptive symptom for me in recent times has been chronic insomnia, a condition that affects nearly half of adults with ADHD. It is widely acknowledged that when sleep is compromised, virtually all other symptoms are exacerbated.
“Multiple factors contribute to the concerning reality that a substantial proportion of adults do not receive adequate treatment. These include limitations in attention span, restricted access to specialized healthcare, diagnostic complexities, and variability in therapeutic approaches,” elaborated Curtin University psychiatrist and epidemiologist Getinet Ayano.
Even within Australia, a nation renowned for its sophisticated healthcare system, I encountered a waiting period exceeding a year for a consultation.
Despite the significant effort invested in obtaining a medical diagnosis, a part of me still harbours disbelief. This may stem from the pervasive notion that ADHD is solely a condition of childhood hyperactivity, compounded by internalized stigma surrounding its symptoms.
I am genuinely unable to articulate why I struggle to perform the simple act of closing kitchen cabinets. Believe me, given the repeated instances of pantry moths infesting my food, my frustration with this issue far exceeds anyone else’s!
“While ADHD is predominantly associated with children, its impact can extend to individuals of any age,” commented Ayano.
In reality, this inadequately named neurodevelopmental difference can manifest in several distinct ways. The review conducted by Ayano and his team revealed that the majority of adults, myself included, present with the inattentive subtype. This is followed by the more commonly recognized hyperactive presentation, and a combined type exhibiting characteristics of both.
The established diagnostic criteria are primarily based on the hyperactive presentation observed in children, which explains why so many adults were overlooked in their earlier lives.
This is not a minor concern; the absence of treatment for ADHD during childhood is a significant factor contributing to its persistence into adulthood, as detailed by the authors in their research paper.
Current research indicates that available treatments, while not necessarily eradicating all symptoms, do contribute to improved long-term outcomes for individuals diagnosed with ADHD.
My manifestation of hyperactivity tends to present as internalised anxiety rather than overt physical restlessness. Furthermore, having the inattentive subtype of ADHD does not imply an inability to concentrate. On the contrary, my capacity for intense focus on subjects of interest, to the extent of losing track of time and basic human needs like eating and drinking, has been instrumental in my academic and writing pursuits.
The often-criticized pharmaceutical interventions, which still lack comprehensive long-term data regarding efficacy and safety, alongside therapeutic approaches that genuinely acknowledge neurological differences, have proven immensely beneficial. My sleep quality has not been this good in years!
Ayano and colleagues highlight that the prevalence of ADHD does not align with the healthcare resources allocated to it when compared with other conditions of similar incidence. They do, however, caution that their findings represent an approximation, as the methodologies employed in all the studies reviewed were not consistently transparent.
“[The review] has not only illuminated the significant prevalence of ADHD among adults but also underscored the urgent need for enhanced awareness, diagnostic accuracy, and effective management of this condition in adulthood,” concluded Ayano.
Their comprehensive research findings were disseminated in the journal Psychiatry Research.
