Many people think that ADHD ( attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a disease that only affects children and that it will get better as they grow older. But the truth is, many adults continue to suffer from these ADHD symptoms. Some people may first realize that they have ADHD when they are young. Many people experience these symptoms subsiding for a while and then coming back again. So today, let's talk about the fluctuations in adult ADHD.
What is the cycle of these symptoms?
Simply put, the main symptoms of adult ADHD are difficulty paying attention , impulsiveness , difficulty managing time and organizing tasks, and mood swings. The main goal of treatment is to control these symptoms and reduce their impact on your daily life.
As an adult with ADHD, you probably have times like this. That is, times when everything is going well, the routine you have established is working well, and life is not too much of a drag. This can happen both on and off medication. You may have fewer than three or four symptoms, and you may feel better enough to no longer be classified as ADHD.
But what happens after that? Imagine that a big change is happening in your life. Maybe it’s a new job, a marriage, or a big family problem. There comes a time when you feel very stressed. At that time, all the symptoms that were previously under control can come back. This is called the relapsing/remitting cycle of ADHD. This is very common among adults with ADHD.
Although research on this is still ongoing, this is a topic that is now receiving a lot of attention from doctors.
How common is it for ADHD to decrease like this?
First, let's look at what this symptom reduction, or what is medically called ``remission,'' means. Although there is no standard definition for this yet, it generally means the presence of three or fewer ADHD symptoms and the symptoms are controlled to the point where they no longer meet the criteria for being diagnosed with ADHD. If there are only four or five symptoms, but they are affecting daily life, this is called partial remission .
According to research, about one-third (1/3) of people with ADHD experience a complete remission of their symptoms at some point in their lives. In a 16-year longitudinal study, nearly 30% of people with ADHD as children who reached adulthood experienced a full remission at some point in their lives. In addition, 60% of those who participated in the study experienced a remission of their symptoms and then a relapse.
Another study found that there was no significant difference in the rate of symptom reduction between those who took ADHD medication and those who did not. This suggests that other factors besides medication may be involved.
What are the reasons why ADHD symptoms decrease in adulthood?
Since this is still a new field of research, the exact reasons for the reduction in symptoms are not yet clearly understood. However, it is thought that certain factors may contribute to this.
For example, factors such as the severity of ADHD in childhood and the mental health of parents can contribute to the persistence of symptoms in adulthood. Also, when ADHD is accompanied by other conditions, such as anxiety or addiction to drugs such as marijuana , it is difficult to isolate the effects of ADHD alone.
Apart from this, there are three main theories that influence the reduction of symptoms, along with things that change as we age.
| Reason | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| 1. Brain Normalizes | As you get older, your brain gradually matures. People with ADHD typically have a slower development of the parts of their brains that are responsible for attention and planning (executive functioning). As these parts grow with age and begin to function more like a neurotypical brain, some symptoms may gradually disappear. |
| 2. The brain compensates | Perhaps, due to treatment or other reasons, the functioning of some parts of the brain may change and the symptoms may decrease. But the abnormalities associated with ADHD may also persist in other parts of the brain. This means that the brain itself adapts to the situation and tries to minimize the impact. |
| 3. You Compensate | This is what happens to many people. As an adult, you have more control over your environment and your daily routine. So you can develop ways to reduce the impact of your symptoms. For example, using a diary to keep track of your work, or using special techniques to stay focused during meetings. Here, the brain doesn't change, but you manage the condition by changing your behaviors and habits. |
Sometimes all three of these causes can come together to control your symptoms.
Finally, doctors and researchers are still learning new things about adult ADHD and its progression. So when you see your doctor , it's important to focus on your quality of life and how your symptoms are stopping affecting your daily activities, rather than just talking about "remission" or "recurrence."
Take-Home Message
- ADHD is not just something that affects children. A large number of adults suffer from this condition.
- It's normal for your ADHD symptoms to subside and resurface from time to time. Don't think of it as a failure on your part.
- Symptoms that were previously under control may resurface due to things like excessive stress in life, work, or family problems.
- It is very important to manage your environment and develop coping strategies to deal with symptoms.
- The most important thing is to always talk openly with your doctor about your symptoms, how you feel, and how it's affecting your life. He or she will provide you with the best solution for you.
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