Post: ADHD often goes undetected in adults experts say

Only 10% to 25% of adults with ADHD obtain an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment, according to a study published in Psychiatry Research. Photo by Gerd Altman/Pixabay NEW YORK, April 30 (UPI) — Despite available treatments, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, often goes undetected in adults, wreaking havoc on their personal and professional lives.

The abbreviation represents a class of neurodevelopmental disorders commonly diagnosed in school-age children, but they can affect any age group.

"ADHD is notoriously underdiagnosed in adults, especially in women, minorities and those older than 40," Ari Tuckman, a psychologist in private practice in West Chester, Pa., told UPI via email.

Only 10% to 25% of adults with the disorder obtain an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment, according to an article posted in October on Psychiatrist.com.

That month, investigators from 10 institutions in Europe, Africa and Australia published a review in Psychiatry Research, which estimated that 3.1% of adults have ADHD. "Treatments [for ADHD] are extremely effective, and almost all patients who stick with the treatment plan over time realize significant improvements in their condition," said Dr. Jeremiah Hopkins, a psychiatrist and medical director of Healthy Minds University, a clinic that focuses on students’ mental health at WVU Medicine in Morgantown, W. Va. Photo courtesy of WVU Medicine "An ongoing pattern" of symptoms includes inattention — "difficulty staying on task, sustaining focus and staying organized," the National Institute of Mental Health says.

Meanwhile, hyperactivity also may be prevalent, resulting in excessive fidgeting, tapping or talking. And impulsivity can lead someone to "interrupt […]

ADHD often goes undetected in adults experts say