description: "Many adults have ADHD but don't know it. The main factors are undiagnosed and changing symptoms."

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  May 31, 2023
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How many adults have ADHD?

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One of the biggest misconceptions about ADHD is that it's something that only children have, but adult ADHD is not uncommon, with estimates ranging from 2-5% worldwide.

In this article, learn the differences between adult and childhood ADHD and take the Adult ADHD test to check for symptoms.

Why adults may not realize they have ADHD symptoms

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Many adults have ADHD but don't know it. The main factors are undiagnosed and changing symptoms.

• Undiagnosed
  • Children may be diagnosed at school, at home, or by a professional, while adults may go undetected because they hide it or don't know they have ADHD.
• Symptoms
  • The main difference between childhood and adult ADHD is hyperactivity. As adults, children with ADHD tend to be less hyperactive and develop symptoms such as attention deficits and planning.

ADHD Test For Adults

The test below uses the WHO-recommended Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) v1.1 screening tool. For each item, please select one of four options: "Not at all" (0 points), "Rarely" (1 point), "Sometimes" (2 points), or "Often" (3 points), and then sum up.