ADHD is thought to affect about 9 million adults in the United States, and research on the life span of the condition notes the disorder can impair academic, social and occupational functioning, and is often associated with academic underachievement, conduct problems, underemployment, motor vehicle safety and difficulties with personal relationships.
"Findings from today's survey underscore the impact ADHD can have for adults who are struggling to cope with and manage this condition at work, at home and in their relationships," said Dr. Edward Hallowell, a practicing psychiatrist and founder of the Hallowell Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health in Sudbury, Mass. "As a psychiatrist who has treated adults with the condition for more than 25 years, and as an adult who was diagnosed with ADHD at age 31, I know firsthand the importance of working with a healthcare professional to identify strategies that may be effective in controlling ADHD symptoms, such as behavioral modifications and medication."
The survey findings on adults with ADHD reinforce previous findings from a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report, which concluded ADHD is a relatively common condition among working adults and is associated with impairment and work performance. The WHO survey also found that only a small number of employed adults with ADHD are being treated for the condition, even though evidence shows medication can be effective in improving ADHD symptoms, and that on average, adult workers with ADHD miss more than three weeks a year in workplace productivity.
Adult ADHD Survey Findings
Conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of McNeil Pediatrics™, key
survey findings included a variety of participant perspectives,
including:
• Most adults with ADHD agree that having the condition strongly
affects their performance in multiple areas of their lives, including:
o Their responsibilities at home (65 percent)
o Their relationships with family and friends (57 percent)
o Their ability to succeed at work (56 percent of those employed)
• Up to half (50 percent) of those employed worry ADHD symptoms
affect opportunities for promotion, and the majority feel they have to
work harder (65 percent) and/or longer (47 percent) than their
co-workers to accomplish similar work.
• Three-quarters of respondents said their ADHD symptoms strongly
affect their ability to stay on task at work (75 percent), while others
listed challenges such as:
o Concentrating on what others were saying (70 percent)
o Wrapping up projects (61 percent)
o Following through on tasks (61 percent)
o Sitting still in meetings (60 percent)
o Organizing projects (59 percent)
• Just as their needs differ, adults with ADHD report divergent
goals in managing ADHD symptoms. In selecting their top three goals for
managing the condition, half cited being able to finish projects and
tasks (51 percent), and getting their household more organized (51
percent). Other top-three goals included:
o Feeling less irritable and upset (38 percent)
o Getting personal finances more organized (28 percent)
o Improving personal relationships (26 percent)
o Feeling calmer and to feel less need to always be moving (22 percent)
o Getting along better with others in social situations (20 percent)
• One-third (36 percent) feel their ADHD symptoms are not under
control, and many more (58 percent) are not satisfied with their
ability to handle stress.
o Of those whom symptoms are not under control, 54 percent feel like a failure for it.
• One-third (37 percent) get depressed thinking about how hard ADHD is to deal with.
Adults with ADHD who participated in the survey also reported utilizing
a variety of techniques to help manage their symptoms. Four out of five
have used visual reminders, such as post-it notes, to help manage their
ADHD symptoms. Those in the survey also reported:
• Taking prescription medication (82 percent)
• Listening to music (75 percent)
• Using a planner or organizer (71 percent)
• Exercising (69 percent)
Of those adults on medication, four out of five (81 percent) reported
that not taking medication negatively impacts their work or home
performance. Patients on medication said they are focused primarily on
goals of symptom control and improving performance at work (74
percent), at home (69 percent) and in relationships (62 percent).
"I was diagnosed two years ago after I realized that some of the stress
I felt from trying to keep up with my career, home and family might be
more than stress," said Natalie Knochenhauer, a former public defender,
non-profit executive and founder of the Metro Philadelphia Chapter of
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(CHADD), and advocacy chair of Pennsylvania CHADD. "After my diagnosis,
I felt like I had extra hours in every day to accomplish what I needed
to get done. Because of the clear benefits I have experienced, I work
closely with my doctor to manage my condition, which enables me to
perform better in all aspects of my life."
About Dr. Edward Hallowell
Dr. Edward (Ned) Hallowell is a practicing psychiatrist and founder of
the Hallowell Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health in Sudbury,
Mass. A former instructor at Harvard Medical School, he is the author
of 10 books, including the bestsellers on ADHD: "Driven to
Distraction," "Delivered from Distraction" and, most recently,
"CrazyBusy." Dr. Hallowell has ADHD himself. He is a paid consultant
for McNeil Pediatrics™.
About Natalie Knochenhauer
Natalie Knochenhauer is the founder of the Metro Philadelphia Chapter
of Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(CHADD), and is advocacy chair of Pennsylvania CHADD. With four
children who also have ADHD, Natalie realizes that adults with ADHD
have issues at work with deadlines and procrastination and that like
children with ADHD, adults need to have systems and accommodations in
place to succeed. She is a paid consultant for McNeil Pediatrics™.
About the Survey
On behalf of McNeil Pediatrics™, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen
Pharmaceuticals, Inc, data for this survey were collected by the Harris
Interactive Service Bureau (HISB) on behalf of Richard Day Research
(RDR). HISB was responsible for the data collected and RDR was
responsible for all survey design, data analysis and data reporting.
Data were collected online between July 28 and August 8. The sample
included 1,007 U.S. adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD.
About McNeil Pediatrics™
McNeil Pediatrics™, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals,
Inc, is committed to meeting the needs of pediatric medicine through
the development of therapies specifically formulated for children.
McNeil Pediatrics™ markets CONCERTA® for the treatment of children,
adolescents and adults with ADHD in the United States. McNeil
Pediatrics™ continues to explore other new therapies to meet the needs
of children and the pediatric community. McNeil Pediatrics™ markets the
most recently approved treatment for adults with ADHD, CONCERTA®
(methylphenidate HCl). Visit www.McNeilPediatrics.net for more information.
About CONCERTA®
CONCERTA® is approved for the treatment of Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as part of a total treatment program that
may include counseling or other therapies.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Talk to your healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and
treatment of ADHD. Only a healthcare professional can decide whether
medication is right for you or your child.
CONCERTA® should not be taken by patients who have: allergies to
methylphenidate or other ingredients in CONCERTA®; significant anxiety,
tension, or agitation; glaucoma; tics, Tourette's syndrome, or family
history of Tourette's syndrome; current or past use of monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI); esophagus, stomach, or intestinal narrowing.
Children under six years of age should not take CONCERTA®.
Abuse of methylphenidate may lead to dependence. Tell your healthcare
professional if you or your child has had problems with alcohol or
drugs; has had any heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure,
or a family history of these problems; has had depression, abnormal
thoughts or visions, bipolar disorder, or seizure. Contact your
healthcare professional immediately if you or your child: develops
abnormal thinking or hallucinations, abnormal or extreme moods and/or
excessive activity; or if aggressive behavior or hostility develops or
worsens while taking CONCERTA®.
Stimulants may impair the ability of the patient to operate potentially
hazardous machinery or vehicles. Caution should be used accordingly
until you are reasonably certain that CONCERTA® does not adversely
affect your ability to engage in such activities.
The most common adverse reaction (more than 5%) reported in children
and adolescents was upper abdominal pain. The most common adverse
reactions (more than 10%) reported in adults were dry mouth, nausea,
decreased appetite, headache, and insomnia.
See Full Prescribing Information
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