Does ADHD get worse with age? Top Facts to Know

Does ADHD acquire severity with age? This is the most common question that most people always ask. The answer is that generally, ADHD does not get worse with age, but certain changes occur in it. It is a common belief that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) only affects children. However, the reality is different. ADHD not only affects children, but it can also persist into adulthood if left untreated. As the person ages, impulsivity and focus issues usually persist, and hyperactivity vanishes. Adults can manage their ADHD symptoms with ADHD medications and therapy. 

However, if you want to know more, then read this article. 

This article clearly explains, “Does ADHD get worse with time?” You will also get an idea of how it affects adults’ symptoms, whether they get worse, improve, or stay the same, and the top strategies for managing them.

Can ADHD get worse?

ADHD symptoms typically do not get intensified, but they experience certain fluctuations with age. In addition, increased responsibilities and the linked challenges create scenarios that turn the condition as it seems to be. 

In previous times, most people had a strong belief that ADHD in children usually outgrows as their age increases. This is the main reason that this condition is referred to as the ‘’hyperkinetic disorder of childhood. But after that, it was widely believed that ADHD can persist into adulthood.

The onset of ADHD usually occurs in childhood. But it does not mean that as childhood ends, it vanishes. It usually stays, persists into adulthood stages, and affects their life functioning. Multiple studies have reported that the rate of ADHD persistence from childhood to adolescence is high (50% to 80%), while it is (35% to 65%) for adulthood. 

The untreated ADHD presents multiple difficulties for individuals at their workplace, in relationships, as well as maintaining overall well-being. 

If you are an ADHD person and facing some family issues or dealing with any professional work challenge, then your focus and organizational abilities will be affected to a greater extent. However, most people think that these external issues are just becoming a reason to highlight them. But this thing is somehow useful as it helps the individuals to locate those areas that can be improved with the help of specific therapeutic strategies. 

The persistence of ADHD is not a big deal, as with the help of the right diagnosis, the right therapeutic strategies, and professional support, adults can get rid of their ADHD symptoms to live a stress-free life. Whenever you feel that you are unable to manage your ADHD then you can seek professional help. 

How does ADHD affect adults?

ADHD manifests in adults in different ways as compared to children. In addition, the effect of ADHD is also different for each adult. Some face more difficulty in: 

• Maintaining their focus and concentration
• managing organizational abilities
• learning new skills
• Following the specific instructions 
• Remembering the most important things 
• Making certain most important decisions in life

However, some adults, on the other hand, are more hyperactive. Due to their hyperactive and impulsive behavior, they have to struggle more in their life. In addition, other major symptoms of ADHD hyperactivity  that interfere with the normal life functioning of adults include:

• Extra talkative behavior
• sense of fatigue or tiredness
• restlessness 
• Fidgeting behavior

Some common symptoms of ADHD impulsivity exert a negative impact on the life of adults, such as:

• Interrupting behavior
• Acting without even thinking 
• Difficulty in waiting for a turn

Whatever it is, inattentiveness, hyperactivity, or any other prominent symptom of ADHD, adults face difficulty in their workplace and in making and strengthening their bonds with others. If any of the above-mentioned ADHD symptoms are not accurately treated on time, then they can get worse.
Related Article: ADD vs ADHD: What are The Differences?

What are the main causes of worsening ADHD symptoms?

ADHD symptoms do not remain the same. With time, individuals experience unexpected changes in their ADHD symptoms. Some changes are positive if they get treatment on time. However, there can be a rise in worsening symptoms if not treated on time. There is not a single factor that can worsen the ADHD symptoms. The following are the main causes that might increase ADHD symptoms:

1. Stress

Connection between stress & ADHD

There is a strong and direct link between stress and ADHD. If you are continuously taking stress over a longer period, then there are increased chances of the onset of ADHD symptoms. However, if you have ADHD or are facing issues in managing the ADHD symptoms, then you will automatically delve into the phase of stress. In addition, if you are suffering from anxiety and ADHD together as a comorbid condition, then you will experience higher stress levels. 

Uncontrolled stress can worsen ADHD symptoms

The prolonged phase of stress makes it harder for individuals to focus on essential things and manage hyperactive or impulsive behavior. 

Overstimulation

Overstimulation or sensory overload is also a major cause of stress or worsening of ADHD symptoms. This involves the exposure of individuals with increased sensory input, such as highly crowded and noisy places with high bright lights, amusement parks. The increased hypersensitivity not only raises stress but also results in issues in emotional regulation.  

2. Sleep issues

Inattention and poor sleep

ADHD stress is also linked with sleep issues. If you have ADHD, then you will be unable to get sufficient and good-quality sleep. Due to a lack of sleep, you will face difficulty in maintaining your focus and concentration. Likewise, the continuous sleep issues can result in the worsening of ADHD symptoms. This condition gets worse with time if not taken preventive measures on time. 

3. Diet and nutrition

Food triggers of ADHD

Certain food items can trigger the hyperactivity and impulsivity of ADHD, such as artificial additives including sodium benzoate, MSG, refined sugars, red and yellow dyes, and some preservatives. 

Lack of nutrients and ADHD symptoms 

If your food is lacking certain essential nutrients, then there are increased chances that your ADHD symptoms can get worse. 

4. Life experiences 

Some life experiences can also exacerbate the ADHD symptoms, such as:

• Childhood trauma
• Loss of a loved one
• Financial loss
• Lack of support

What are the major signs that indicate ADHD changes with age?

ADHD is one of those mental issues in which individuals experience a certain fluctuation in the symptoms and severity of ADHD as they age. In some individuals, symptoms become more evident and show their effects. While, in some cases, symptoms become less prominent or get milder with age. 

ADHD symptoms that get worse with age 

As the person ages, the decline in brain function is quite normal and the same for everyone. However, in casethe  of ADHD, some specific regions of the brain are affected by ADHD and affect the executive functioning of individuals such as:

1. Working memory

Both ADHD and aging directly affect the working memory of individuals, which is essential for varied cognitive functions. Individuals face difficulty in learning and recalling vital instructions to initiate or complete any task. Moreover, they even forget the passwords to their accounts. 

2. Inattention

Other than ADHD, adults are also more exposed to environmental stressors, which affect their cognitive abilities. They feel trouble in staying focused and organized, and managing their time in different areas of their life. 

3. Brain processing speed

The rapid decline in brain processing speed is also common in both ADHD and aging. The brain’s ability to gather, analyze, and respond to any information becomes slower with age. However, inattentiveness is more prominent in ADHD, which in turn also affects the ability of the human brain.

4. Brain fog

This condition is referred to as a lack of mental clarity. Affected individuals do not easily focus on their thoughts due to their disordered patterns and inability to remember anything.

5. Emotional dysregulation

Anger outbursts, sudden and unexpected mood alterations, and irritable behavior are common in adults as compared to children.

ADHD symptoms that improve with age 

It’s not essential that in every individual, ADHD symptoms get worse with age. Some ADHD symptoms show significant improvements in phase of adulthood, such as:

1. Hyperactivity

Usually, fidgeting behavior and a sense of physical restlessness get reduced with increasing age.

2. Impulsivity 

Children or teens usually do not think before doing anything. However, the rate of impulsivity decreases with age, and adults think clearly before making any decision. Moreover, they should also focus on developing coping mechanisms.

3. Emotional regulation

Emotional maturity mostly comes with age. As a person ages, the ability to regulate emotions and prevent feelings of frustration becomes more noticeable. 

Symptoms that stay the same with age 

It’s not necessary that every ADHD symptom has to change, as there are some symptoms which usually remain the same with time, such as:

• Time blindness
• Disorganization
• Poor planning
• Lack of focus

1. Major Challenges of ADHD in Adulthood

Adulthood is the main phase where individuals are directly or indirectly exposed to a variety of stressors and make their lives overwhelming. There is a range of complexities, but among them, the most common ones include:

• Inattentiveness
• Trouble in making decisions
• Lack of motivation 
• Remembering instructions or deadlines
• Staying focused on a single task

2. Major stressors of Adulthood

Some of the major stressors that can result in the increased occurrence of ADHD in adults are as follows:

• Financial strain 
• Professional stress
• Career-related stress
• Issues in the relationship
• Mental health or physical issues

All these factors can increase the severity of ADHD symptoms in adulthood. 

Link between ADHD and cognitive changes with age

There is a strong connection between ADHD and cognitive dysfunction that occurs in older stages of life. ADHD does not directly result from cognitive issues, as there are certain factors which are involved this such as genetic factors, as well as certain neurological differences. 

As the brain becomes weaker with age, older adults have to face multiple issues in their lives:

• They lose their memory.
• They usually forget things.
• They can not easily multitask.
• They can not focus and organize things.

The occurrence of ADHD in older stages makes these symptoms more prominent, which in turn exerts a major negative impact on their overall well-being. 

ADHD and Dementia 

Various recent studies have reported that individuals with ADHD are more prone to suffer from different types of dementia. The risk of developing dementia (memory loss) is three times higher in ADHD individuals as compared to non-ADHD individuals. 

Neurotransmitter changes & ADHD over time.

Aging is the main process that involves certain negative changes in the pathway of a neurotransmitter,  dopamine. This chemical messenger regulates the ability of focus or attention, memory, as well as mood. As age increases, cognitive functioning gets affected due to a reduction in dopamine and the pain receptors at which they specifically bind.

In ADHD, the dopamine functioning is also affected, which results in the loss of sense of motivation, energy, and focus or concentration. However, if the individual is experiencing both ADHD and the aging process, then the symptoms can get worse if not treated on time. 

Top ways to manage ADHD as the person ages 

If you are growing older and having ADHD symptoms, then you can cope with them with the help of some top strategies, which include:

1. ADHD diagnosis

The diagnosis of ADHD in adults is comparatively difficult compared to children. Females with ADHD are usually misdiagnosed with any other mental illness. In addition, most of them also remain undiagnosed or are not treated on time.

Although adults can self-diagnose the ADHD symptoms but mental health professionals can make a better diagnosis. They perform a comprehensive evaluation to identify the symptoms and associated severity. Moreover, experts also determine the previous medical history and family history to gather accurate information and develop the treatment plan accordingly. 

2. ADHD medication and therapy

Psychiatric medications

ADHD stimulants

Medications are used to manage the ADHD symptoms. Experts mostly prescribe the ADHD stimulants to treat ADHD, which include:

• Focalin
• Ritalin
• Concerta 
• Adderall
• Vyvanse
• Dexedrine 

Note: Do not take stimulants or any other medication without the export recommendation. 

Non-stimulants

Non-stimulants are recommended by experts only in those cases when stimulants do not provide the desired results or cause some side effects. Major non-stimulants which are used for ADHD treatment include:

• Strattera
• Intuniv
• Qelbree

3. Therapies to treat ADHD

Cognitive behavioral therapy 

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a renowned psychotherapy that helps in the treatment of ADHD. This therapy involves the identification and then transformation of negative thought patterns into positive ones, and also the associated behavior. The main role of cognitive behavioral experts is to teach individuals different skills, which include emotional regulation and social interaction with ease. In addition, ADHD individuals also learn the best coping and mindfulness strategies to deal with their ADHD symptoms. 

ADHD Accommodations

ADHd individuals, especially children, face trouble in paying attention in their classroom and remembering the most important details. However, with the help of some top ADHD strategies, they can better manage their ADHD symptoms and maintain their focus and concentration. 

Other ways to manage ADHD in personal life include:

• Join the ADHD support groups. 
• Get help from an ADHD coach.
• Find useful ADHD tools.

Some positive lifestyle changes that can help include:

• Proper diet 
• Regular sleep
• Physical activity 
• Going out with friends
• Setting realistic goals
• Reduce your screen time.
• Socially connect with others.

Get Professional ADHD support at Brainpower Wellness Institute.

If you are concerned with your and your loved one’s mental health, who are dealing with ADHD, then you are in the best place. Brainpower Wellness Institute is a premier mental health platform that offers reliable mental health support to treat common mental health issues such as ADHD. We have a specialized ADHD treatment center where you can find the best ADHD treatment options. Schedule an appointment with our ADHD experts and share your mental health concerns. Then our experts will help you determine which treatment option will work best for you according to your mental state. 

If you are unable to attend the physical appointments, then you can benefit from our telepsychiatry service. With this, you can connect with mental health experts online and get the best online mental health solutions.

Last thoughts

ADHD is a mental illness that not only affects children, but adults also suffer from this if the symptoms are left untreated. However, its persistence does not typically indicate that they get worse with increasing age, and you will have to tolerate them forever. The ADHD symptoms undergo certain fluctuations over age. But with the right and on-time mental support, treatment, or strategies, you can manage your ADHD and see the positive improvements in your mental health and overall well-being.

Related Article:

Understanding ADHD in Girls and Women
A Comprehensive Guide to ADHD In Babies
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