What is ADHD?

• ADHD is a highly persistent disorder, and the negative impact on a person’s ability to carry out daily activities, as shown in the figure to the right, or the continued presence of three or fewer impairing symptoms often continues beyond childhood.¹⁰ The effects of ADHD in adults vary, but ADHD can impact education, job performance, income, marriage and family relationships, and social interactions, even when a person no longer meets all of the requirements for a diagnosis of ADHD.¹⁰
• Your healthcare provider may use a variety of tests to determine if you have ADHD. The Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults section talks about how ADHD is diagnosed in more detail.
• ADHD can be challenging to diagnose in adults. People with ADHD may not receive an accurate diagnosis and therefore may not receive appropriate treatment. The After the Diagnosis section talks about ADHD treatment in more detail.