The impact of ADHD
ADHD can severely affect an individual’s education, working life, home life, relationships and social life. The impact of ADHD can become more widespread and disruptive in adulthood as a persons life becomes more complicated.
Pre-school
Behavioural problems
School age
Behavioural problems
Struggling with school work
Problems making friends
Adolescence
Behavioural problems
Struggling with school work
Problems making friends
Underachieving at school
Low confidence
Smoking/ alcohol / drugs
Injury and accidents
Young adults
Underachieving, failing at or dropping out of college
Relationship problems with friends and family
Moody
Not coping with independent living
Problems at work
Low confidence
Smoking/ alcohol / drugs
Injury and accidents
Road traffic accidents
Adult
Underachieving, failing at or dropping out of work
Relationship problems with friends and family
Moody
Not coping with independent living
Problems at work
Low confidence
Smoking/ alcohol / drugs
Injury and accidents
Road traffic accidents
Struggling with parenting
Struggling with budgeting
The Impact of ADHD in Adulthood
Many people with ADHD can function extremely well with considerable additional support and effort, however, there are others who struggle to cope with important aspects of life. The impact of ADHD is associated with lower levels of educational achievement and lower levels of employment with a history of frequent job changes. As a result, people with ADHD can present higher levels of low self-esteem and low self-confidence.
Studies of people with ADHD have shown that they are significantly more likely to have been arrested and twice as likely to be divorced, as well as being less satisfied with their family, social and professional lives. The impact of ADHD is also associated with an increase in serious road traffic accidents.
It is a disorder that can cause significant distress to those who suffer from it and to the family members, partners, friends and colleagues that they interact with - and yet it is highly treatable.
Where ADHD can affect people
ADHD can affect adults in many, and sometimes all, of their daily activities and interactions with other people. Here we identify some of the places and behaviour traits that are most commonly highlighted by adult ADHD patients and their partners, families and friends.
Real stories - how ADHD affects real people
Struggling to be perfect
Feeling rejected
