People would picture a naughty kid making a mess when they hear about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is not, however, a sickness of youngsters. Most British Columbians are adults with hidden or undiagnosed ADHD, living secretly with symptoms that interfere with their work, relationships, and self-worth — a growing concern when it comes to understanding and addressing Adult ADHD in British Columbia.
Here at Compass Clinic, we help de-stigmatize, teach, and assist BC adults in learning more about what ADHD in adulthood is all about — particularly those who were never diagnosed as children.
What is Adult ADHD?
ADHD is a disorder whose development in childhood continues in most cases into adulthood. Adult ADHD is diagnosed if the symptoms continue after age 17 and in some meaningful way impact daily functioning. Not every adult is aware they have ADHD until they are consistently struggling with attention, concentration, organization, or mood regulation impacting job, home, or relationships.
The formerly outdated term ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) sometimes creeps into usage to describe people with inattentive-type symptoms but without seeming hyperactive. But now, both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive types are called ADHD.
Adult ADHD Symptoms
Adult ADHD can be different from ADHD in children. Rather than physical hyperactivity, the symptoms actually more subtly appear as:
Struggling to maintain attention on tasks or discussions
Forgetting and propensity to be late
Work or domestic disorganization
Struggling to get started or complete tasks
Recurrent procrastination
Spending, talking, or deciding impulsively
Swinging moods or angry outbursts of temper
Restlessness or feeling “on edge” nearly all the time
ADHD in Adult Women
Adult females with ADHD are typically overlooked as their symptoms are not so prevalent. They internalize their difficulties and feel more burdened, worried, and self-conscious. They will report emotional dysregulation, persistence disorganization, and everyday responsibility issues. They are typically diagnosed after they diagnose their children, thus causing them to reflect more on themselves.
ADHD Symptoms in Adults: Functional Impact
ADHD adult symptoms impact negatively on:
Career: Inability to meet deadlines, plan, or prioritize
Relationships: Interrupting, recalling anniversary or birthday dates
Finances: Impulsive spending, failure to pay bills
Self-esteem: Years of accumulated lack of achievement and misperceptions result in shame or fear
Most adults with ADHD acquire coping skills, but these may decline during stress or transitional periods such as beginning a new job or raising a family.
How Common is ADHD in Adult British Columbians?
Adult ADHD is much more prevalent than individuals are aware of. In Canada, 3% of adults are eligible to be diagnosed with ADHD. BC diagnoses have been steadily rising as there is greater awareness and individuals requesting to be tested. There needs to be greater awareness for individuals to get adequate support and treatment.
How to Get Diagnosed with ADHD in Adults
To obtain an adult ADHD diagnosis, the following is generally done:
Professional testing – It may be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or family physician who has received training in ADHD.
Symptom screening – You need to make sure that your symptoms were present when you were a child (before age 12), but you may not have been diagnosed back then.
Measurement of current functioning – Symptoms should significantly affect your current functioning.
Screening instruments – Interviews and questionnaires to assess attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and emotional control.
Ruling out other disorders – Depression, anxiety, trauma, and sleep disorders can produce ADHD symptoms and thus need to be excluded.
How to Treat Adult ADHD
Adult ADHD treatment works best when treatments are combined:
Medication – Stimulants (e.g., methylphenidate or amphetamines) are typically prescribed and raise levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Non-stimulant medication could be a second option.
Therapy – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is able to repair distorted patterns of thinking, enhance coping skills, and alleviate anxiety.
ADHD coaching – Emphasis on skills of daily living like time management, planning, and goal setting.
Lifestyle changes – Good sleeping, healthy eating, regular exercise, and less screen time all help with concentration and mood management.
Habit and routine – Calendars, reminders, alarms, clocks, and notes are frequently useful tools for adults with ADHD.
Adult ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by pervasive early-onset chronic difficulties with attention, impulsivity, and perhaps hyperactivity that continued into adulthood, infecting much of life.
FAQs
1. What is ADHD in adults?
ADHD in adults is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent problems with attention, impulsivity, and sometimes hyperactivity, which began in childhood and continue into adulthood, affecting various areas of life.
2. How is adult ADHD diagnosed?
You require professional evaluation by a health care professional trained in the field. The evaluation process is carried out on the basis of clinical interview, history of early symptoms, third-party and self-reporting, and screening measures. The physician must eliminate other potential causes before an ADHD diagnosis.
3. How to treat ADHD in adults?
The best treatment modalities are:
Medication ordered (stimulant or non-stimulant)
Psychotherapy or coaching that is ADHD-specific
Organization and focus lifestyle strategies
Creating supportive domestic or work environments
4. Is adult ADHD a BC disability?
Adult ADHD is a BC disability if it functionally disables to a significant extent. Adult ADHD patients can be helped with accommodations in schools and workplaces, and government support programs, depending on the extent of severity of the symptoms.
5. What proportion of Canadian adults suffer from ADHD?
Approximately 2.7% to 3% of Canadian adults have ADHD, yet the majority of them are undiagnosed as they do not know or have been mistakenly diagnosed.
6. Are BC PharmaCare plans covering ADHD medications?
Yes, a few of the ADHD medications are covered under BC PharmaCare, but only for kids and teens. The coverage has, however, over the recent years slowly widened step by step to encompass some of the long-acting medications in adults as well, but subject to conditions and conditionally either with special authorization or an initial failed therapy using other drug.
7. What is the 20-minute rule for ADHD?
The “20-minute rule” is a time-management strategy that’s at times recommended for people with ADHD. It’s starting an activity and anticipating the ability to get 20 minutes of work done. It antidotes the initial hesitation or feeling of being overwhelmed by taking the load off — after 20 minutes, you’re free to keep going if you’re in the zone or you’re free to stop if you need to. It’s a bit like the Pomodoro technique and may possibly be helpful as much as creating momentum in those with executive functioning impairment.
Final Thoughts
ADHD isn’t just a child’s problem — it runs into adulthood in real, sometimes secret ways. But with great diagnostic eye, understanding, and care, adults with ADHD can top their entire potential. Whether you’re an adult beginning your career, a parent, or struggling with midlife transition issues, and also you’re having difficulty concentrating, getting prepared, or keeping your emotions in check, it could be worth taking the time to request an ADHD evaluation.
At Compass Clinic, we will be with you throughout the entire process — from testing and diagnosis to customized treatment planning. You’re not alone, and it’s never too early to get to know your brain and develop the skills you require to succeed.