“ADHD is the second most prevalent psychiatric disorder in the adult population, with an adult presentation of 3%, but in the clinical practice setting, that can be three to sevenfold higher.” – David Goodman, MD
In a recent Psychiatric Times interview, Dr. Goodman highlighted an important challenge in ADHD care: many clinicians receive limited formal training in diagnosing and treating ADHD in adults. He also noted that ADHD in adults is often missed because symptoms may present as anxiety, depression, or chronic stress rather than the more commonly recognized signs of ADHD.
Mindful Choices Chief Science Officer, Dr. Shanta Whitaker, added “ADHD does not end in childhood, yet many adults still face barriers to accurate
diagnosis. As individuals increasingly seek diagnosis and appropriate treatment later in life, it’s important that more clinicians have the training and tools needed to recognize how ADHD can present across different stages of life and across different patient populations.”
Relatedly, new APA research highlights the real-world consequences of missed or undiagnosed ADHD. In one study of adults hospitalized after traffic accidents, more than one-third screened positive for ADHD despite having no prior diagnosis. These individuals were also significantly more likely to engage in high-risk driving behaviors.
Findings like these reinforce why improving diagnostic accuracy matters. When ADHD goes undiagnosed, the impact can extend far beyond attention and focus, affecting safety, daily functioning, and overall quality of life.
These are some of the important conversations Mindful Choices will continue exploring during our upcoming 2026 Summer Summit Series, Thriving in Transition: Reimagining ADHD Care for Young Adults, where experts, clinicians, advocates, and individuals with lived experience will discuss the gaps, challenges, and opportunities shaping ADHD care during the transition to adulthood.
You can learn more about the Summer Summit Series and the full Mindful Choices Steering Committee here: choicesforadhd.org