Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ERIC Digest.

This digest examines attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and symptoms of the disability. Pertinent adult problems include: (1) substance abuse, antisocial behaviors, and criminality, all of which can occur in adults with ADHD; (2) poor social skills or deficits in self-awareness are also frequent; (3) occurrence of ADHD with other psychiatric conditions can contribute to the failure of medication and psychotherapy; and (4) problems with independent adaptive functioning have been found to be among the most common complaints of adults who have ADHD and seek therapy. The digest discusses recognizing ADHD in adults and the need to examine adults for comorbid psychiatric conditions and rule out alternative psychiatric problems that can resemble ADHD. Treatment of adults with ADHD is addressed, including drug and psychosocial interventions. The difficulties adults with ADHD face in higher education and later in the work world are discussed. Adults with ADHD are urged to create multiple layers of structure at work and integrate work demands with competing personal responsibilities. The digest closes by discussing the rights of students and employees with ADHD to have equal access to programs and facilities. (Contains 13 references.) (CR)