Adults living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) share their intricate, progressing encounters with the condition that persists beyond the childhood diagnosis.

Adults living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) share their intricate, progressing encounters with the condition that persists beyond the childhood diagnosis.

A comprehensive study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders in 2025, led by Emily A. Rosenthal, offers valuable insights into the experiences of adults living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The review, which synthesised 41 qualitative studies on adults with ADHD, reveals common themes and experiences across diverse adult populations with the disorder.

Context-Dependent Symptoms

One of the key findings of the review is the context-dependent nature of ADHD symptoms. Adults often describe their symptoms as varying by environment. What may be impairing in one setting, such as disorganization at a desk job, may be less problematic in another, especially if the work aligns with their interests and strengths.

Beyond Childhood Impacts

ADHD persists into adulthood, affecting emotional regulation, relationships, and long-term planning, not just attention and impulsivity.

Identity Complexity

Individuals grappled with shifting identities related to their diagnosis, including reflections on missed or late diagnoses and stigma concerns.

Workplace Challenges and Coping

Adults discussed challenges in professional settings and adopted diverse coping strategies, with success often linked to finding compatible routines or environments.

Substance Use and Treatment Decisions

Common themes involved substance use patterns, decisions about medication, and treatment adherence, varying notably by the timing of diagnosis (childhood vs adulthood).

Emotional Reactions to Diagnosis

Adults diagnosed later in life frequently reported distinct emotional responses to learning about their ADHD, such as relief or confusion.

College and Independence Struggles

College students with ADHD specifically highlighted struggles with increased independence, often relying on accommodations and coping mechanisms.

The review emphasises the value of qualitative approaches to capture the lived experiences of adults with ADHD, including their beliefs, intentions, emotions, and self-perspectives, beyond what quantitative symptom checklists reveal. It also highlights the heterogeneity within adult ADHD populations and the importance of context in understanding impairments and strengths.

Substance Use and Coping

Substance use, particularly cannabis and nicotine, was commonly discussed in the studies as a method for managing ADHD symptoms or emotional distress.

Underrepresented Groups

Older adults with ADHD are rarely included in research, leaving a void in our understanding of how the condition affects later-life transitions such as retirement or caregiving. Women and gender-diverse individuals, as well as racial and ethnic minorities, are underrepresented in ADHD research.

Differences Across Life Stages and Social Identities

The review highlights how ADHD manifests differently across life stages and social identities, including in the workplace and among women, gender-diverse individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, and older adults.

Mixed Feelings about Treatment

Adults reported mixed feelings about stimulant treatment for ADHD, acknowledging its benefits for attention and task completion but expressing discomfort about side effects or a perceived loss of authenticity while medicated.

The Importance of Qualitative Research

By prioritising qualitative research alongside clinical measures, scientists and clinicians may better capture the full spectrum of ADHD across the lifespan-and, in doing so, develop more inclusive and responsive care. The authors caution that qualitative findings may not generalise to all adults with ADHD, and more research is needed on those who do not seek treatment, as well as on the role of cultural and structural factors in shaping ADHD outcomes.

Stigma and Disclosure

Some participants struggled with stigma or hesitated to disclose their ADHD diagnosis to employers or peers.

In summary, Rosenthal’s qualitative review identifies context sensitivity, identity complexity, emotional and functional challenges, and adaptive coping across life stages as the core themes in adults living with ADHD. These insights underscore the need for personalised, context-aware clinical and support approaches.

1. The study in the Journal of Attention Disorders highlights the context-dependent nature of ADHD symptoms, showing that adults often experience varying symptoms based on their environments.
2. Adult ADHD affects more than just attention and impulsivity, influencing emotional regulation, relationships, and long-term planning.
3. Adults with ADHD grapple with shifting identities, considering aspects like missed or late diagnoses and stigma concerns.
4. Challenges in workplaces and the adoption of diverse coping strategies are prevalent among adults with ADHD, with success often linked to compatible routines or environments.
5. Substance use, medication decisions, and treatment adherence are common themes among adults with ADHD, and vary notably based on diagnosis timing.
6. Adults diagnosed later in life may experience distinct emotions, such as relief or confusion, upon learning about their ADHD.
7. College students with ADHD often struggle with increased independence and rely on accommodations and coping mechanisms.
8. The review advocates for qualitative approaches to capture the lived experiences of adults with ADHD, emphasizing their beliefs, intentions, emotions, and self-perspectives.
9. Substance use, particularly cannabis and nicotine, is commonly discussed as a method for managing ADHD symptoms or emotional distress among adults.
10. Older adults with ADHD are underrepresented in research, leaving a gap in understanding how the condition affects later-life transitions like retirement and caregiving.
11. The review shows that ADHD manifests differently across life stages and social identities, such as in the workplace, among women, gender-diverse individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, and older adults.
12. Adults report mixed feelings about stimulant treatment for ADHD, acknowledging its benefits for attention and task completion but expressing discomfort about side effects or a perceived loss of authenticity while medicated. By prioritizing qualitative research alongside clinical measures, scientists and clinicians can better understand and address the diverse needs of adults with ADHD, enhancing workplace-wellness, health-and-wellness, and mental-health initiatives, and promoting finance, business, careers, and education-and-self-development, including online education and learning.

Read also: