Nowadays, adults are being diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as children, even though the symptoms can often be evident in childhood, writes Gina Lizzo for Main Line Today.

“Maybe they couldn’t sit still for more than a few minutes when studying as a high schooler, but they only started to have problems once they went to college or had a recent job promotion,” said Chris Pagnani, medical director and founder of Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates in Paoli.

Their symptoms do not become apparent until they are facing “increased work and life demands as an adult,” he added.

Adults are not suddenly being afflicted with ADHD at a higher rate. Thanks to increased awareness, many more are being correctly diagnosed. Today, physicians can more easily recognize the symptoms.

“Most adults with ADHD who are older than 35 weren’t diagnosed as children because we weren’t looking for it as much then as we are now,” said West Chester-based psychologist Ari Tuckman.

Additionally, since it is much easier today to identify ADHD in children, their parents are often diagnosed at the same time “in what I call the two-for-one diagnosis,” he added.

Read more about ADHD in adults being diagnosed in Main Line Today.

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