ADHD in adults and kids

It is easy to spot ADHD in kids- the hyperactive little boy who destroys your office, or the flaky little girl who can not focus on a conversation. However, ADHD in adults is not as easy to diagnosis or treat. Hyperactivity in adults is rare, but inattentive symptoms do persist into adulthood in at least 30% of ADHD patients. In well-educated adults, they may not realize they have ADHD symptoms, as their intelligence has helped them compensate to get through college and grad school. However, they may start to really suffer when work and life demands get too overwhelming. I do not like to encourage Ritalin or Adderall dependence, but typically a small amount of medication can help them perform much better at work and in life.