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ADHD in later life is frequently mistaken for normal aging, depression, or early-stage dementia.

Greater awareness can improve diagnosis and treatment in this growing population.

Later-age diagnosis can be transformative, improving quality of life and overall well-being.

By Aakanksha Singh, MD, and Narpinder K. Malhi, MD, members of the Committee on Family at the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry

When a young adult struggles with inattention, difficulty managing tasks, and trouble completing responsibilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often one of the first diagnoses that comes to mind.

However, what happens when these same challenges appear in an older adult, someone who is forgetful, disorganized, and has difficulty recalling names? Should it be thought of as ADHD, or should it be assumed it is simply a part of aging?

Eleanor, a 72-year-old retired teacher, had always been organized and dependable, but had to put in extra effort and work long hours to maintain this level of functioning. In recent years, however, she began misplacing items, missing appointments, and struggling with routine tasks.

At first, she attributed these changes to aging, but her daughter encouraged her to seek help. Despite two prior evaluations for memory concerns, both with normal results, her difficulties persisted. A more comprehensive assessment revealed a different explanation: ADHD, a diagnosis she had never imagined having at her age.

Eleanor’s story raises an important question: When older adults experience forgetfulness and disorganization, these symptoms might reflect more than normal aging—perhaps a lifelong condition that has gone unnoticed?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by patterns of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Although........

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