Does ADHD Go Away?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDoes ADHD Change With Age?ADHD Persists Into AdulthoodDelayed DiagnosisTeens With ADHDAdults With ADHD

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Does ADHD Change With Age?

ADHD Persists Into Adulthood

Delayed Diagnosis

Teens With ADHD

Adults With ADHD

ADHD is often diagnosed during childhood, so if you had it as a kid, you might wonder if it will go away as you get older. In most cases, ADHD does not go away. While it doesn’t just go away, it does change over time. Characteristics can change, but so do your surroundings and coping skills. ADHD traits that used to be hard to manage in an academic environment may not be as challenging in the working world.

At a GlanceIf you had ADHD as a kid, you’ll probably also have it as an adult, but that doesn’t mean that things will always stay the same. Some ADHD traits do change with time. Plus, many of the characteristics that used to be so hard to deal with in a school setting—like hyperactivity and inattention—aren’t always as difficult or noticeable in other environments. As people age, they also acquire new coping abilities and a greater understanding of the things that can help them best manage their ADHD traits.

At a Glance

If you had ADHD as a kid, you’ll probably also have it as an adult, but that doesn’t mean that things will always stay the same. Some ADHD traits do change with time. Plus, many of the characteristics that used to be so hard to deal with in a school setting—like hyperactivity and inattention—aren’t always as difficult or noticeable in other environments. As people age, they also acquire new coping abilities and a greater understanding of the things that can help them best manage their ADHD traits.

It was once thought that children would grow out ofADHDas they developed and matured. We now know that ADHD traits can continue into adolescence and beyond—throughout a person’s life. While some kids may seem to outgrow the disorder (or no longer have symptoms that result in impairment), in most cases, kids with ADHD grow up to be adults with ADHD.

According to a longitudinal study, 60% of kids with ADHD still have symptoms as adults.

Though ADHD is chronic in nature, characteristics may present in differing ways as a person moves through life stages. These characteristics may even diminish as that person grows older—for example, hyperactivityand fidgetiness may decrease with age.

As well, teens and adults whose ADHD has been addressed over the years will have a range of resources and strategies to turn to when ADHD traits become problematic.

2:33Watch Now: Strategies for Living Well With ADHD

2:33

Watch Now: Strategies for Living Well With ADHD

Research looking at people who were diagnosed with ADHD in childhood found that:

Common co-occurring disorders seen in adulthood included substance use disorders, anxiety, and depression.Research also suggests that people with ADHD have higher rates of incarceration and suicide as adults.

Another study published inThe Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatryfound that 60% of kids with ADHD still had symptoms as adults, and 41% had symptoms that created impairment.

When Does ADHD Peak?One older study found that ADHD characteristics are often worse in kids aged 6 to 8 and gradually decline around age 11. Hyperactivity and impulsivity were more likely to decline with age, while aspects of inattention were likely to persist.

When Does ADHD Peak?

One older study found that ADHD characteristics are often worse in kids aged 6 to 8 and gradually decline around age 11. Hyperactivity and impulsivity were more likely to decline with age, while aspects of inattention were likely to persist.

Diagnosed at a Later Age

While ADHD tends to be diagnosed during childhood, doctors and parents sometimes don’t spot the signs. Kids may mask their ADHD traits to fit in or the adults in their lives may not recognize that their characteristics are a sign of ADHD.

Undiagnosed ADHD isn’t uncommon, which means many people with ADHD may not be diagnosed until their teenage oradult years. This is particularly true of those with predominately inattentive traits, which are less disruptive and overt as compared to impulsive/hyperactive characteristics.

Girls and women, in particular, are more likely to experience the inattentive type of ADHD. This often means that they are diagnosed later in life. Research suggests that because these traits are less noticeable, girls develop coping strategies to helphide their symptoms.

Though children may be able to successfully manage symptoms, the teenage and adult years bring on increased demands for sustained attention, planning, organization, and self-management that can make coping with ADHD more and more difficult.

People who are diagnosed as teens or adults mayfind a sense of relief in the diagnosis, which explains a wide range of lifelong challenges.

It can be particularly helpful to learn that there are both medical treatments and strategies that can make a positive difference. In addition, having a diagnosis can open the door to helpful conversations with parents, friends, and partners.

Teens withuntreatedADHD have few tools and resources for managing their ADHD traits. As a result, they are more likely than their typical peers to have difficulty juggling multiple classes and extracurricular activities.

Like other teens, teens with ADHD are separating from family and becoming more independent—but with fewer internal restraints,teens with ADHDare more likely to get involved in risky behavior.All these challenges can lead to injury and/or loweredself-esteem.

Teens with untreated ADHD are more likely to experience a higher incidence of driving accidents, underachievement in school/work, relationship problems, and even substance abuse.

Researchers have also found that structural differences in the brain persist into adulthood, even in cases where people previously diagnosed with ADHD no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for the condition.

Such findings suggest that while ADHD traits may become less apparent as someone grows older, they may still experience a variety of neurological differences that can influence behavior in a variety of ways.

Traits in adulthood can be more varied and present in more subtle ways—some examples include:

Though characteristics may be less visible, they can be just as impairing. For example, adults with ADHD may have difficulty managing work tasks or respond impulsively in situations requiring self-restraint and tact.This can lead to more frequent job changes or unemployment. They may also have a difficult time maintaining long-term friendships andromantic relationships.

Does ADHD Get Worse With Age?ADHD characteristics may affect adults differently, but they typically do not grow worse with age. Adults also generally have more coping skills and resources to manage their symptoms as they age.

Does ADHD Get Worse With Age?

ADHD characteristics may affect adults differently, but they typically do not grow worse with age. Adults also generally have more coping skills and resources to manage their symptoms as they age.

Takeaways

While characteristics of ADHD often change with age and may become less severe in adulthood, the condition does not necessarily go away. While researchers are still learning more about why ADHD persists for many people, the evidence does suggest that getting a diagnosis and treatment as early as possible can improve outcomes.

Whether you were diagnosed in childhood or recently learned that you have adult ADHD, talking to your doctor and getting appropriate treatment can help you manage your traits and improve your ability to function in your daily life.

What ADHD Masking Looks Like

15 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Barbaresi WJ, Colligan RC, Weaver AL, Voigt RG, Killian JM, Katusic SK.Mortality, ADHD, and psychosocial adversity in adults with childhood ADHD: a prospective study.Pediatrics. 2013;131(4):637-644. doi:10.1542/peds.2012-2354Sibley MH, Swanson JM, Arnold LE, et al.Defining ADHD symptom persistence in adulthood: optimizing sensitivity and specificity.J Child Psychol Psychiatr. 2017;58(6):655-662. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12620InformedHealth.org.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Overview. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Franke B, Michelini G, Asherson P, et al.Live fast, die young? A review on the developmental trajectories of ADHD across the lifespan.Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2018;28(10):1059-1088. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.08.001Katzman MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Fallu A, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):302. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3French B, Daley D, Groom M, Cassidy S.Risks associated with undiagnosed adhd and/or autism: a mixed-method systematic review.J Atten Disord. 2023;27(12):1393-1410. doi:10.1177/10870547231176862Sudre G, Szekely E, Sharp W, Kasparek S, Shaw P.Multimodal mapping of the brain’s functional connectivity and the adult outcome of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2017;114(44):11787-11792. doi:10.1073/pnas.1705229114Biederman J, Mick E, Faraone SV.Age-dependent decline of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: impact of remission definition and symptom type.Am J Psychiatry. 2000;157(5):816-8. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.157.5.816Banaschewski T, Becker K, Döpfner M, Holtmann M, Rösler M, Romanos M.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a current overview.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2017;114(9):149-159. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2017.0149Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3):PCC.13r01596. doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596Wilens TE, Spencer TJ.Understanding attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder from childhood to adulthood.Postgrad Med. 2010;122(5):97-109. doi:10.3810/pgm.2010.09.2206French B, Daley D, Groom M, Cassidy S.Risks associated with undiagnosed ADHD and/or autism: A mixed-method systematic review.J Atten Disord. 2023;27(12):1393-1410. doi:10.1177/10870547231176862Roman-Urrestarazu A, Lindholm P, Moilanen I, et al.Brain structural deficits and working memory fMRI dysfunction in young adults who were diagnosed with ADHD in adolescence.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016;25(5):529-538. doi:10.1007/s00787-015-0755-8Geffen J, Forster K.Treatment of adult ADHD: a clinical perspective.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol.2018;8(1):25-32. doi:10.1177/2045125317734977U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Dealing with ADHD: What you need to know.

15 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Barbaresi WJ, Colligan RC, Weaver AL, Voigt RG, Killian JM, Katusic SK.Mortality, ADHD, and psychosocial adversity in adults with childhood ADHD: a prospective study.Pediatrics. 2013;131(4):637-644. doi:10.1542/peds.2012-2354Sibley MH, Swanson JM, Arnold LE, et al.Defining ADHD symptom persistence in adulthood: optimizing sensitivity and specificity.J Child Psychol Psychiatr. 2017;58(6):655-662. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12620InformedHealth.org.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Overview. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Franke B, Michelini G, Asherson P, et al.Live fast, die young? A review on the developmental trajectories of ADHD across the lifespan.Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2018;28(10):1059-1088. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.08.001Katzman MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Fallu A, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):302. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3French B, Daley D, Groom M, Cassidy S.Risks associated with undiagnosed adhd and/or autism: a mixed-method systematic review.J Atten Disord. 2023;27(12):1393-1410. doi:10.1177/10870547231176862Sudre G, Szekely E, Sharp W, Kasparek S, Shaw P.Multimodal mapping of the brain’s functional connectivity and the adult outcome of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2017;114(44):11787-11792. doi:10.1073/pnas.1705229114Biederman J, Mick E, Faraone SV.Age-dependent decline of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: impact of remission definition and symptom type.Am J Psychiatry. 2000;157(5):816-8. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.157.5.816Banaschewski T, Becker K, Döpfner M, Holtmann M, Rösler M, Romanos M.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a current overview.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2017;114(9):149-159. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2017.0149Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3):PCC.13r01596. doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596Wilens TE, Spencer TJ.Understanding attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder from childhood to adulthood.Postgrad Med. 2010;122(5):97-109. doi:10.3810/pgm.2010.09.2206French B, Daley D, Groom M, Cassidy S.Risks associated with undiagnosed ADHD and/or autism: A mixed-method systematic review.J Atten Disord. 2023;27(12):1393-1410. doi:10.1177/10870547231176862Roman-Urrestarazu A, Lindholm P, Moilanen I, et al.Brain structural deficits and working memory fMRI dysfunction in young adults who were diagnosed with ADHD in adolescence.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016;25(5):529-538. doi:10.1007/s00787-015-0755-8Geffen J, Forster K.Treatment of adult ADHD: a clinical perspective.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol.2018;8(1):25-32. doi:10.1177/2045125317734977U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Dealing with ADHD: What you need to know.

Barbaresi WJ, Colligan RC, Weaver AL, Voigt RG, Killian JM, Katusic SK.Mortality, ADHD, and psychosocial adversity in adults with childhood ADHD: a prospective study.Pediatrics. 2013;131(4):637-644. doi:10.1542/peds.2012-2354Sibley MH, Swanson JM, Arnold LE, et al.Defining ADHD symptom persistence in adulthood: optimizing sensitivity and specificity.J Child Psychol Psychiatr. 2017;58(6):655-662. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12620InformedHealth.org.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Overview. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Franke B, Michelini G, Asherson P, et al.Live fast, die young? A review on the developmental trajectories of ADHD across the lifespan.Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2018;28(10):1059-1088. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.08.001Katzman MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Fallu A, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):302. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3French B, Daley D, Groom M, Cassidy S.Risks associated with undiagnosed adhd and/or autism: a mixed-method systematic review.J Atten Disord. 2023;27(12):1393-1410. doi:10.1177/10870547231176862Sudre G, Szekely E, Sharp W, Kasparek S, Shaw P.Multimodal mapping of the brain’s functional connectivity and the adult outcome of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2017;114(44):11787-11792. doi:10.1073/pnas.1705229114Biederman J, Mick E, Faraone SV.Age-dependent decline of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: impact of remission definition and symptom type.Am J Psychiatry. 2000;157(5):816-8. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.157.5.816Banaschewski T, Becker K, Döpfner M, Holtmann M, Rösler M, Romanos M.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a current overview.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2017;114(9):149-159. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2017.0149Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3):PCC.13r01596. doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596Wilens TE, Spencer TJ.Understanding attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder from childhood to adulthood.Postgrad Med. 2010;122(5):97-109. doi:10.3810/pgm.2010.09.2206French B, Daley D, Groom M, Cassidy S.Risks associated with undiagnosed ADHD and/or autism: A mixed-method systematic review.J Atten Disord. 2023;27(12):1393-1410. doi:10.1177/10870547231176862Roman-Urrestarazu A, Lindholm P, Moilanen I, et al.Brain structural deficits and working memory fMRI dysfunction in young adults who were diagnosed with ADHD in adolescence.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016;25(5):529-538. doi:10.1007/s00787-015-0755-8Geffen J, Forster K.Treatment of adult ADHD: a clinical perspective.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol.2018;8(1):25-32. doi:10.1177/2045125317734977U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Dealing with ADHD: What you need to know.

Sibley MH, Swanson JM, Arnold LE, et al.Defining ADHD symptom persistence in adulthood: optimizing sensitivity and specificity.J Child Psychol Psychiatr. 2017;58(6):655-662. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12620

InformedHealth.org.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Overview. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).

Franke B, Michelini G, Asherson P, et al.Live fast, die young? A review on the developmental trajectories of ADHD across the lifespan.Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2018;28(10):1059-1088. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.08.001

Katzman MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Fallu A, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):302. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3

French B, Daley D, Groom M, Cassidy S.Risks associated with undiagnosed adhd and/or autism: a mixed-method systematic review.J Atten Disord. 2023;27(12):1393-1410. doi:10.1177/10870547231176862

Sudre G, Szekely E, Sharp W, Kasparek S, Shaw P.Multimodal mapping of the brain’s functional connectivity and the adult outcome of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2017;114(44):11787-11792. doi:10.1073/pnas.1705229114

Biederman J, Mick E, Faraone SV.Age-dependent decline of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: impact of remission definition and symptom type.Am J Psychiatry. 2000;157(5):816-8. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.157.5.816

Banaschewski T, Becker K, Döpfner M, Holtmann M, Rösler M, Romanos M.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a current overview.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2017;114(9):149-159. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2017.0149

Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3):PCC.13r01596. doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596

Wilens TE, Spencer TJ.Understanding attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder from childhood to adulthood.Postgrad Med. 2010;122(5):97-109. doi:10.3810/pgm.2010.09.2206

French B, Daley D, Groom M, Cassidy S.Risks associated with undiagnosed ADHD and/or autism: A mixed-method systematic review.J Atten Disord. 2023;27(12):1393-1410. doi:10.1177/10870547231176862

Roman-Urrestarazu A, Lindholm P, Moilanen I, et al.Brain structural deficits and working memory fMRI dysfunction in young adults who were diagnosed with ADHD in adolescence.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016;25(5):529-538. doi:10.1007/s00787-015-0755-8

Geffen J, Forster K.Treatment of adult ADHD: a clinical perspective.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol.2018;8(1):25-32. doi:10.1177/2045125317734977

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Dealing with ADHD: What you need to know.

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At a Glance#

Watch Now: Strategies for Living Well With ADHD#

When Does ADHD Peak?#

Diagnosed at a Later Age#

Does ADHD Get Worse With Age?#

Takeaways#