Information About Adult Attention Deficit Disorder
As more and more information was written on Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, adults began to see themselves.At first, the information was written for children, and parents started to realize they were reading about themselves as children.
As more research was done, it was discovered that symptoms of ADD ADHD continue into adulthood and many adults began to realize, that while some of the behaviors had changed, the symptoms themselves had not.
Today, some experts believe that as many as 8 million adults in the United States are affected by Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. It is estimated that only 5% of those are receiving treatment.
Many of those not receiving treatment have found various ways of coping with symptoms in their daily lives. They may have incorporated behavior modification systems to cope with their adult attention deficit disorder, without even being aware of doing so.
Or they may have partners who help them with structure or organization.
Others may use self-medication such as caffeine to help them focus. Others may have felt their lives were out of control, through addictions or from drifting from job to job, living in despair.
There are similarities between childhood and Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. Both share the same symptoms of inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity, although some adults indicate that their hyperactivity has slowed down or is easier to control as they mature.
Some of the concerns that are often voiced from Adult Attention Deficit Disorder sufferers:
• Difficulty with communication
• Problems with managing money
• Forgetfulness
• Problems keeping track of belongings
• Difficulty with relationships
• Forgetting appointments or consistently being late
• Disliking quiet activities
• Difficulty holding jobs
But...in spite of all the negatives that Adult Attention Deficit Disorder sufferers put up with... there are actually some positives and benefits that add adhd adults may possess.
Some like these:
• Endless Energy
• Hyperfocusing
• Energy and hyperfocus combined
• Great Imagination
• Creativity
• Humor
• Ahead of "establishment" thinking
• Creative thinking, problem solving
• Spontaneity
• Great passion for interests
As you can see if you look in our section about famous ADD ADHD people...you'll see that many adult attention deficit disorder excelled in many different areas.
Although ADD ADHD was once thought to disappear as children grew up, data suggest that one to two thirds of children with ADD ADHD continue to have significant symptoms throughout life.
The core symptoms of Adult Attention Deficit Disorder... hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity - change as the child grows older into an adult.
Research suggests that hyperactivity declines with age, attention problems remain fairly constant, and executive function problems increase in adulthood.
Coexisting psychiatric conditions, learning disabilities, and social difficulties are common. The persistence of ADD ADHDinto adulthood first became apparent in the 1970's, but is only recently becoming more generally known in the adult mental health field.
While there is agreement that ADD ADHD occurs in adults, the terminology and our understanding of its underlying pathology are still emerging.
The most pertinent Adult Attention Deficit Disorder problems include:
• Substance abuse, antisocial behavior, and even criminality are among the better-known problems of some adult attention deficit disorder sufferers.
However, these issues are hardly universal, and may be more likely in some groups of patients. Poor social skills or deficits in self-awareness are also frequent.
• When unrecognized, and therefore untreated, add adhd occurs along with other psychiatric conditions, it can contribute to the failure of medication and psychotherapy. This is because the ("comorbid," or coexisting), conditions are then the only focus of treatment.
• Problems with independent adaptive functioning are among the most common complaints of adults who have ADD ADHD and seek therapy. For example, they may have difficulty finding and keeping jobs, trouble maintaining routine and organization, and problems with self-discipline.
In contrast, behavior control issues are the more usual complaints in children with attention deficit disorder.
The difference between children and adults may reflect the fact that parents, teachers, and society can provide external forms of regulation for children, but cannot fulfill that role for people with adult attention deficit disorder.
Additionally, the tasks of adulthood generally require more self-regulation, thereby making deficits in this area more apparent.
• Problems with social skills and adaptive functions can be very stressful to relationships. Adults with add adhd may thus have a greater likelihood of family violence, divorce, and multiple marriages.
There are two main groups of adults with ADD ADHD:
• Those who were diagnosed as children and still have symptoms
• Those who were never diagnosed.
The second group may be more likely to include females. When looking at childhood symptoms, it is important to consider that a highly organized home life can mitigate the expression of of a person with Adult Attention Deficit Disorder.
Pronounced difficulties may only emerge during higher education, or even later in the work world, when environmental demands become more complex. Often there is also a strong family history of ADD ADHD, learning disabilities, or both.
There is no definitive diagnostic test for adult attention deficit disorder, although standardized add adhd scales are extremely helpful in understanding current (and past) symptoms.
Examining for comorbid psychiatric conditions and ruling out alternative psychiatric problems that can resemble ADD ADHD(such as depression or anxiety disorders) is essential.
The goal of assessment is to understand the individual's unique pattern of strengths and weaknesses in order to design appropriate interventions (whether medical, psycho social, or remedial) for that person.
Fear of stigma, shame, and denial can interfere with seeking help. As is the case for children, the best treatment involves both ADD ADHD drugs and therapy
