Key Points
- In adults, overt hyperactivity often decreases with age and manifests more as internal restlessness and a subjective feeling of being "driven," rather than the obvious physical overactivity seen in children
- Impulsivity in adults refers to hasty decisions or actions taken without thinking through consequences, such as suddenly quitting a job or making rash financial decisions
- DSM-5 requires ≥5 symptoms (rather than 6 for children) of hyperactivity/impulsivity persisting for ≥6 months in adults aged 17+
- The combined presentation (inattention + hyperactivity/impulsivity) is the most common in adults, accounting for ~63.5% of cases
Impulsivity and Hyperactivity Symptoms in Adulthood (ADHD)
How Hyperactivity Presents in Adults
In children, hyperactivity is typically overt (running, climbing, inability to sit still). In adults, it transforms into more subtle manifestations:
