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At AIIMS OPD, more young people report ADHD: What’s triggering it?

UK study says how adults diagnosed with ADHD are living shorter lives with risk-taking behaviour.

Nearly 35% of faculty posts are vacant at AIIMS, Delhi

There was no recruitment for regular faculty posts in 2020, 2023, 2024 and the first three months of the current year, it said. (File photo)

Dr Rohit Verma, assistant professor at the department of psychiatry at AIIMS, Delhi, is seeing a concerning trend of young adults between the ages of 20 and 27 reporting Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a developmental disorder that affects behavioural patterns, attention spans and interest, and is usually reported in childhood.

“They report impulsive, inattentive behaviour, distraction, stress, a disorganised life and are not able to focus on anything properly. That’s affecting their work and personal lives. Some of them even bring their family members. Usually it’s the other way round when parents bring their children for treatment. Even teens are reporting symptoms that had not been diagnosed before, saying they are having problems with academics,” he says.

Such cases assume significance following a study in the UK that says how adults diagnosed with ADHD are living shorter lives than they should. The study, published in Cambridge.org, says that this is “likely caused by modifiable risk factors and unmet support and treatment needs in terms of both ADHD and co-occurring mental and physical health conditions.” This pushes them to risky behaviours like substance abuse and self-harm. The study even highlights how nearly 3% of adults in the UK have ADHD, most being undiagnosed.

Can ADHD occur in adults?

ADHD in adults is caused largely by genetic and environmental factors. Sometimes it may be an underlying condition in childhood which manifests as stronger symptoms in adulthood. A poor lifestyle, diet, stress and anxiety can be triggers for resurgence. The problem is there is no standard criteria to diagnose ADHD in adults unless they had been already diagnosed in their childhood. Anyone after 18 reporting fresh symptoms cannot be diagnosed with childhood criteria. ADHD is quite high among those into substance abuse.

What are symptoms?

One of the commonest symptoms of adult ADHD is poor organisation. They’re unable to multi-task and are fidgety. We do not label children as having ADHD till they are seven years old because hyperactivity is associated with normal childhood too. We classify them as such only when they continue hyperactivity, along with inattention and impulsivity, and disturb others with disruptive activities.

Can ADHD push adults toward risk-taking behaviour?

The UK study has just shown this is happening. The ADHD population has common traits like substance abuse and impulsivity. That’s why their risk-taking behaviour increases.

At the substance abuse centre at AIIMS, Delhi and National Drug Dependence and Treatment Centre, the proportion of individuals having ADHD is quite high. Nobody has looked at the data in India right now.

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Also read | Adults diagnosed with ADHD have shorter life expectancy: Study

What can be done to manage adult ADHD?

The patient is taught to break down large tasks into smaller, manageable ones with breaks to maintain focus and achievable goals. A daily planner and routine helps. Mindfulness exercises improve focus and encourage the patient to become more aware of their thoughts.