How do people grow out of ADHD?

[Peripheral]

How in your opinion do some people grow out of ADHD?

I am really curious.


Anybody have a information that they find helpful on the subject?

[Drewbacca]

I think that the answer is simple... we still don't know what the underlying cause of ADHD is with certainty. No one gene has been isolated. There are competing theories, sure, but nothing definite. We are defining a disorder based on the list of symtoms and not the root cause; it's hardly a stretch to believe that there are several completely different disorders with the same symptoms all being labeled under the ADHD umbrella. I think the better question is what distinct disorder with the ADHD symptoms can be grown out of.

[Nifferka]

I know that the outward signs of hyperactivity are frequently suppressed over time, although the internal restlessness remains....

[zoekate]

I think it depends heavily on what the actual cause/development of ADHD is from. Assuming it is genetic and there are multiple genes that all have some role, then perhaps different patterns of which genes someone has determines whether the brain itself has a permanent ADHD pattern versus it being a temporary pattern only present in the childhood stage of development. I'm sure there are other explanations.

It is sure though, that the brain does develop and change between childhood and adulthood; that it might naturally change in some way to neutralize the ADHD pattern is plausible, as is that it might change in such a way as to increase the severity of the ADHD pattern or simply not change it meaningfully. Humanity is only starting to understand a static picture of the brain; a dynamic one is even less well understood.

[cillianred]

We're all on such a broad spectrum, it's probably difficult to say. ADHD seems to run rampant in my gene pool, so I don't expect I'll ever grow out of it (not necessarily a bad thing ).

[sarek]

If we are talking AD(H)D without any comorbidities then I do not think its possible to completely grow out of it. Certainly not out of the inattentive symptoms.

[sarahsweets]

I didnt think you could.

[GameON]

people being able to grown out ADHD makes me feel like a loser that still hasn't grown out of his ADHD !!!!

[PookDo]

They don't. If they say they have they are either in denial or lying

[Unmanagable]

I don't think you can grow out of it, you just learn different ways to manage it. Once folks experience relief and success in managing some of their symptoms, they may feel they've overcome it, until they are faced with similar challenges when their methods become ineffective.

[syrella]

If you really have ADHD as a kid, then you don't grow out of it. Symptoms may change over time, though, and you may learn coping skills. Some people get really good at coping that they may even appear like don't have it, especially before you get to know them. However, the underlying neurology is probably still there.

Note that there are plenty of reasons for why someone would appear to have ADHD but not actually have it. There is the classic example of the little kid who just can't sit still in class. He may very well have ADHD or he might just have naturally high energy. There are also plenty of medical conditions which may cause ADHD-like symptoms.

[pyogenes]

1. Some people didn't really have ADHD so when they other condition went away so did the ADHD-like symptoms

2. Puberty really screws with brain chemistry.

3. Learning to cope. That's why hyperactivity symptoms decline with age.

[pie4fools]

Pyogenes, ive had hyperactivity since i was very young. Adderall makes me tired, so i know

I think it will be close to impossible to quit, I already have a worse resting state.

[Assumption]

Has anybody else felt that as they went from elementary school, to high school, to college, to the workplace, their symptoms have gotten worse and worse?

In a class environment with a fresh topic, I am usually pretty engaged ask more questions than anyone, and elaborate on the idea in my head as I take it in. So I pick up the basics pretty fast (when they dwell on the same idea for too long though, I start to lose focus). But homework is another matter. And self-directed work (my thesis) or work where you're on the clock/timed (e.g. I worked as a hammer hand, as a cleaner, and in hospitality and I think my performance was mediocre at best) is another matter still - I procrastinate and get distracted like crazy.

Because of this, I found the first few years of school easy (I am not sure whether my ADHD - assuming I have it - just hadn't emerged yet, or whether it was because there was no homework at all), the rest of school (age 11 up) very difficult socially (bullies learned that I was easy to get worked up - that I couldn't "hack it"), and the last few years of school (age 16-17) difficult to manage due to the workload. College was better socially (everyone else had grown up) but more difficult work-wise, because it is so much more self-directed (I flunked out at one point). I've been finding it extremely hard since I started my masters and PhD. I've managed to hold on by my fingernails, but I'm really struggling to stay on top of things...

Has anybody else experienced this worsening of outcomes over the life course?

[phantasm]

I think people with ADHD can learn to ADAPT to life with ADHD. That may look as if they have grown out of it to people.

Like someone who was born without a limb, they see they are different in an aspect compared to other people, but still try to do the same things in life. It's just that they do it differently. May find an easier way or harder way at accomplishing the same goal.

But with the right guidance or coaching, Dr's and a plan, medication ect., if you focus on something enough, you will find a way to work with your ADHD to achieve what it is you want.

ASSUMPTION: I feel like I have gotten worse, particularly my memory and my self-esteem. Because I am older, I feel bad because I have not achieved the things I thought I would by my age. Also, my memory has gone completely into the toilet and I don't know why. I assume it's from my anxiety. But because I feel like I learned very little in my grade school years, I am feeling the result of that now. Hard to handle sometimes.