Learn about the causes of ADHD in adults and adolescents, its most prominent symptoms—such as poor concentration and stress—and how it can be treated through behavioral therapy and effective medications.
Key Causes of ADHD in Adults
Adults and adolescents are not immune to ADHD. Many studies have shown that the percentage of adults affected by this disorder is about 2.5% of the world’s population. This rate is relatively low compared to the percentage among children, which is estimated at 8.4% of the world’s population.
Nevertheless, it can be difficult to deal with and treat ADHD appropriately in adults and adolescents. Many families face significant challenges in guiding them or controlling aggressive behaviors, which leads them to seek an understanding of the underlying causes in order to provide suitable treatment. The main possible causes include:
- Adults may develop ADHD-related symptoms if they did not receive proper guidance and treatment during childhood, allowing these behaviors to persist into later stages of life.
- Adults and adolescents may develop this disorder due to a dysfunction or problem in brain function, placing them in a state of intense nervousness that affects their overall behavior.
- Autism spectrum disorder may also be a major contributing factor to hyperactivity and inattention in adolescents.
- A lack of adequate attention during childhood may push a child to engage in aggressive or irresponsible behaviors to attract others’ attention. If these behaviors are neglected, they may develop into reckless patterns later in life.
- Psychological disorders may be a key factor in developing hyperactivity, such as bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and others.
- Genetic factors may contribute to ADHD.
- Premature birth may also be a major factor, as it can cause disruptions in bodily functions, leading to abnormal behaviors that may develop into more serious patterns during adolescence if the child is not properly supported and treated.
Most common symptoms of ADHD in adolescents and adults
Symptoms of ADHD in adults include distractibility and severe difficulty concentrating. Not only that, but they also include a person’s feeling that there is an obstacle preventing them from completing daily tasks, difficulty sleeping, and many other symptoms that vary from one individual to another. Below, we take a closer look at them:
First: Adolescents
In the table below, we review the most common symptoms of ADHD that typically affect adolescents:
| Symptom | Impact |
|---|---|
| Difficulty concentrating | The adolescent may struggle to focus when someone is speaking to them, and even when doing a task it is easy for their attention to drift—due to boredom or dislike of the task. |
| Aggressive behaviors | The adolescent may engage in aggressive, irresponsible actions as a result of significant inattentiveness and acting without thinking about the consequences for themselves or others. |
| Forgetfulness | Adolescents with ADHD are often very forgetful about important matters, such as misplacing personal belongings and forgetting where they left them. This is linked to the sense of chaos they experience and poor concentration; they may put their belongings anywhere, which naturally leads to forgetting them. |
| Anxiety | They may feel constant anxiety and tension due to the disorder’s impact on brain chemistry, which can reduce dopamine release. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and sadness, and may also cause severe insomnia. |
| Loss of motivation | The person with ADHD may frequently lose motivation for activities they enjoy and engage in, leading to intense frustration and hopelessness about the meaning of life. Over time, this may develop into chronic depression. |
Second: Adults
ADHD is not limited to children and adolescents; adults can also be affected. Its symptoms include the following:
| Symptom | Impact |
|---|---|
| Ongoing lack of focus | As with children and adolescents, adults with ADHD may have severe difficulty concentrating while doing tasks, and may also struggle to focus on what others are saying. This may be due to poor listening or being distracted by other things. |
| Mood changes | They experience mixed emotions—feeling sad at times and happy at others. They may also become easily irritable without a clear reason or warning signs. |
| Social withdrawal | One of the most common accompanying symptoms of ADHD in adults is severe isolation and a feeling of loneliness. The person may not want to integrate into society and may avoid group activities. |
| Impulsivity | The person’s actions may be reckless and impulsive, putting them at risk of physical harm and exposing others to serious danger—for example, driving recklessly without regard for others’ safety. |
| Difficulty sustaining romantic relationships | A person with ADHD may not remain in a romantic relationship for long. They often create many problems without a clear reason due to a lack of attention and focus, as well as behaviors that may seem unusual to those around them. |
Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Ehtiwaa Center for Psychological Treatment relies on precise and intensive therapeutic approaches that help adults recover from ADHD quickly and effectively. These approaches include the following:
Stage 1: Medication management
At the beginning of treatment, the center prescribes medications tailored to the individual’s condition to help regulate brain function and reduce overactivation, supporting better calmness and control.
Stage 2: Psychological support and guidance
The center then provides psychological counseling and ongoing support, along with practical guidance and essential recommendations for the individual’s family to help them understand the most appropriate ways to deal with and support the patient.
Stage 3: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
In this stage, clinicians use a range of CBT techniques to help the individual correct and improve their behavior, strengthen socially appropriate responses, and build key skills such as creative thinking, planning, and independent problem-solving.
