Can you outgrow ADHD?

ADHD symptoms can change significantly throughout a person’s life due to many factors, including using coping strategies and natural changes in a person’s brain structure. 

The organization Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder says it isn’t likely that someone will outgrow ADHD, but there’s a relationship between ADHD symptoms and age. As it’s a psychiatric disorder, the symptoms typically present during childhood and often increase before the brain matures.

However, important neurological changes can occur as you age, which may help improve symptoms. Self-awareness of behaviors can also help manage symptoms.

Is it possible to outgrow ADHD? 

There are three main types of ADHD:

• predominantly inattentive
• predominantly hyperactive
• a combination of inattentive and hyperactive

Those who display the predominantly hyperactive form can experience manageable symptoms in adulthood. However, this doesn’t mean they’ve outgrown ADHD. Their brains experience structural changes that differ from neurotypical people’s brains.

A small 2012 study closely explored the caudate nucleus, the brain section responsible for helping you perform tasks involving movement and memory. The researchers found a smaller caudate nucleus in the brains of those with ADHD, even in those who no longer displayed significant symptoms.  

However, symptoms may become manageable due to using coping mechanisms or masking symptoms.

Does ADHD get better with age? 

Although people can’t outgrow ADHD, symptoms may improve with age. For example, the hyperactivity characteristic of ADHD in children may settle into what appears as restlessness in adulthood.

This is because the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain associated with focusing on tasks, gets bigger in adulthood. This can occur for just about everyone, whether they have ADHD or not. This natural change can help adults with ADHD pay attention more effectively.

An adult with ADHD may have had more time to understand how the disorder affects their behavior. This allows them to develop coping mechanisms that can help them change symptoms such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing.

Many people with ADHD may have not received a diagnosis in childhood, adulthood, or at all. In some instances, children with ADHD may not meet the diagnostic criteria in adulthood, despite still having the condition.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says boys are 13% more likely to receive ADHD diagnoses than girls. This means many women may have lived with undetected ADHD symptoms during childhood.

If ADHD symptoms interfere with your daily activities, consider speaking with a healthcare professional who can help you identify the best treatment plan.

How can ADHD be treated? 

Many treatment options are available for children and adults with ADHD that they can use individually or combine with other treatments.

Treatment options for ADHD include:

Behavioral therapy

Behavioral therapy can help teach self-awareness to children and adults with ADHD, allowing them to manage certain behaviors that may appear disruptive to others. This form of therapy often focuses on:

• developing social skills
• learning how to ask for help
• understanding facial expressions

These tools can help people monitor their ADHD symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy works to improve focus and attention through mindfulness practices. This form of therapy can be especially useful for children under 6 years old, for whom doctors may not recommend medications. This therapy can also be an important treatment tool for older children and adults. 

Medication

Doctors may prescribe medications to children who are more than 6 years old and need additional support to manage their symptoms. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants. Examples include:

• methylphenidate (Ritalin)
• amphetamine (Adderall)
• dextroamphetamine (Zenzedi)

These medications work by activating brain areas involved in gaining knowledge to improve focus and decrease hyperactivity or impulsive behavior. 

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How can you manage ADHD? 

Managing ADHD is all about understanding your behaviors and building self-awareness to help form socially positive behaviors. Ways you can manage ADHD include:

• Exercise: A 2012 research review about nonpharmacological treatments for ADHD showed that aerobic exercise could improve neural growth and development, which can improve behaviors and thought processes.
• Dietary changes: A 2014 review found that dietary changes to avoid inflammation and stress in the immune system may help improve symptoms. However, experts need to perform further research into the effect of nutrition on ADHD.
• Mindfulness practices: A different 2014 review found that mindfulness practices such as meditation could be effective treatment options for ADHD and can help improve symptoms, particularly in adults.

Summary

ADHD is a psychiatric disorder, so it isn’t likely that someone will outgrow the condition. While the brain changes with age, elements of an ADHD-structured brain will remain.

However, as you age, the growth of the prefrontal cortex and the development of coping mechanisms can help manage ADHD symptoms. Possible treatment options can differ based on age but can typically include medication, therapy, and lifestyle measures.

If you find that ADHD symptoms interfere with your daily activities, consider speaking with a healthcare professional who can help you identify the best treatment plan.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.