The short answer is, no, adults don't suddenly get ADHD. In order to meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, several symptoms that cause impairment must be present in childhood. Specifically, signs of ADHD need to be evident before age 12. 2 This means, technically, ADHD does not develop in adulthood.

Can you develop ADHD as a teenager?

ADHD is generally diagnosed in children by the time they're teenagers, with the average age for moderate ADHD diagnosis being 7 years old . Older children exhibiting symptoms may have ADHD, but they've often exhibited rather elaborate symptoms early in life.

Can you develop ADHD or are you born with it?

Genetics. ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it's thought the genes you inherit from your parents are a significant factor in developing the condition. Research shows that parents and siblings of a child with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves.