Adult ADHD

Introduction

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that more than an estimated 3.5% of the entire U.S. population is affected by (although mental health professionals believe that there are many more individuals who go undiagnosed, especially if the disorder goes undiagnosed into adulthood).  As the name of this disorder suggests, those who have ADHD exhibit the following symptoms.  Note that the same symptoms exist whether a child or an adult has the disorder and that all symptoms fall into at least one of six categories which are activation, focus, effort, emotion, memory and action:

• Inability to focus attention to detail.
  
• Making of careless mistakes while going about a daily work schedule.
  
• Appearing not to listen when spoken to.
  
• Ignoring instructions or finishing tasks.
  
• Avoiding tasks that require higher levels of mental effort.
  
• Frequently losing items required for the work at hand.
  
• Getting distracted easily.
  
• Excessive forgetfulness.
  
• Frustration sometimes manifested in physical outbursts (especially with children who have less control over their bodies).

Of course having these symptoms is not the only way of telling whether or not an individual has ADHD.  In fact, determining whether an adult has ADHD is much more complicated than determining whether a child has the disorder.  This is mainly because in adults there tends to be additional symptoms that manifest themselves more obviously outwardly.  For example, an adult with ADHD is not judged as compassionately as a child with the disorder.  An adult with ADHD is often viewed as lazy, incapable, insensitive, etc.  A life of being labeled so negatively commonly leads to other types of disorders, more specifically Mood Disorders such as Major Depression, Dysthymia (Chronic low-level depression) and Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depressive Disorder.)

ADHD in adults

ADHD is a condition that was once largely unknown but now it is hard to find someone who does not at least know of another individual who has ADHD.  There are a great number of stereotypes that are associated with ADHD.  When most people think of a person with ADHD they most likely picture a child who is wild and violent, who cannot concentrate and makes trouble in school.  Some people blame the symptoms of ADHD on the simple fact that kids will be kids and assume that as the child learns and develops, they will simple grow out of ADHD.  This is far from the truth as children with ADHD typically get worse as they enter into adulthood.  Several recent studies estimate that between 30 percent and 70 percent of children with ADHD continue to exhibit symptoms in their adult years.

Facing life's increasing pressures and demands is enough to send anyone off of the deep end, but those with ADHD have a particularly difficult time regulating where their attention is focused, turning impulses into action, and being aware of and controlling their own emotions.
Typically, adults with ADHD are unaware that they have this disorder, they just know that they cannot get organized, they have a hard time getting to places on time, they feel that they are lacking in the making of personal accomplishments, they find that family members and friends are frequently frustrated with them, and a romantic relationship is strained due to perceived thoughtlessness and character flaws. 

Fortunately there is hope for adults with ADHD.  There are treatments that can greatly improve your quality of life.  The first step to treating the problem of ADHD is determining if in fact you really have it.  Diagnosing the problem is your first step towards recovery.

Diagnosing adult ADHD

Obtaining a correct diagnosis of ADHD can actually be a relief for some adults who have long struggled with feelings of inadequacy and low self esteem.  A correct diagnosis means that there is a set course of action that can now take place that is designed to make the person with the disorder whole again.  Of course there is always another side of the diagnosis story and emotions that are quite opposite from those of relief and happiness.  Some adults diagnosed with ADHD are angry at their physicians and even close family members for not recognizing the problems that they had been having sooner.  A diagnosis as a adult most likely meant that the individual went through their whole childhood living with this condition and no one was able to help or to understand that.  Years of resentment and anger are very possible for an adult to experience when they have waited so long to find out what was not right about them. 

Diagnosing an adult with ADHD is not easy as simply seeing the symptoms and putting a name to a problem.   Adults who believe that they have ADHD to not have the luxury of being under the constant watchful eye of a parent, as do Children.  Many times the adult must be the one to recognize the signs of ADHD in him or herself in order to seek out a diagnosis and unfortunately introspection is one of the most challenging things for one with ADHD to master.  Generally, adults are diagnosed with ADHD on accident.  They will commonly seek professional help for depression or anxiety and will find out that the root cause of some of their emotional problems is in fact ADHD.

Speaking technically, to be diagnosed with ADHD, an adult must have childhood-onset, persistent, and current symptoms.  In order for there to be an accurate diagnosis, a history of the patient's childhood behavior must be obtained.  This means that the patient's partner, a parent, close friend, or other close associate, will be solicited to provide more detailed information about the patient's behaviors over the period of his lifetime. A physical examination and psychological tests will also be given.

Researchers have developed clinical criteria for the diagnosis of adult ADHD (the Utah Criteria), which combines past history of ADHD with current evidence of ADHD behaviors.  Other diagnostic assessments are now available; among them are the widely used Conners Rating Scale and the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scale.

Treatment of adult ADHD

There are two vital components to the effective treatment of ADHD.  The first is the medication that is used to help to control the symptoms of the disorder and the second is the psychological or behavioral counseling that is needed in order to train the mind to process differently and thereby "cure" oneself from the disorder.  Both methods of treatment for adult ADHD will be explained briefly below:

Medications

Adults often start the treatment of ADHD with a stimulant medication. The stimulant medications affect the regulation of two neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine. The newest medication approved for ADHD by the FDA is called atomoxetine (brand name: Strattera).  The next medication that is considered by prescribing mental health professionals is an antidepressant.  Older antidepressants, the tricyclics, are sometimes used because they work much like the stimulants in that they affect norepinephrine and dopamine. Venlafaxine (brand name: Effexor) and Bupropion (brand name: Wellbutrin) are both newer drugs that have been proven useful in clinical trials on the treatment of ADHD in both children and adults.

Adults tend to need less of the medication that they are given for his weight than do children. Because there is a greater likelihood that an adult may take other medications for physical problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure, there are a great deal more variables that need to be taken into consideration before any drugs are prescribed. 

Psychological/Behavioral

Medication only gives temporary support or relief of symptoms to the patient so to conquer the disorder of ADHD more effort than taking your pills is required.  Often times a professional coach or psychological counselor can help the ADHD adult learn how to organize his life by using a series of organizational and memory techniques.  Regular meetings with a counselor do not only provide helpful assistance by way of introspection, but they help the adult with ADHD to learn to stick to a schedule and the make and keep appointments on a regular basis.  A therapist can help to make the character strengths of the individual more apparent to him while at the same time helping the patient to eliminate the negative characteristics that also make themselves known.  For example, the positive aspect of spontaneity and risk taking can be aided by a knowledge that it is best to at least think before you act.  Therapy of any kind is only as effective as the patient is willing to make it.  No one but the individual who has been diagnosed with ADHD can decide whether or not to put forth the effort to overcome it.  Adults with ADHD should learn as much as they can about their disorder and work hard to control and overcome the disorder. 

Positive characteristics of adults ADHD

It may surprise you to hear that there are actually some advantages or at least positive characteristics that are associated with ADHD.  Some see these advantages and figure in their minds that someone with such talent cannot possible be struggling with a disorder such as ADHD.  It is not uncommon for these talented people to deny a need for help because they do not necessarily feel depressed or inadequate, just different.  Some of the positive traits that are directly tied to active and impulsive mind of someone with ADHD are creativity, enthusiasm and spontaneity, a quick mind, and a high level of energy.  Those with ADHD typically excel in areas where they are free to find creative solutions or to think outside of the ordinary.  They are typically open to new ideas and eager to try new things.  They are also enthusiastic and spontaneous.  An adult with ADHD could very well be a very popular person socially, having the ability to carry on engaging conversations very easily.  Those with ADHD may also be to multitask well.  They enjoy changes and challenges because their minds are able to adapt quickly and come up with the answers that are needed.  Adults with ADHD are also very energetic and may appear to be able to go on working for hours and hours above and beyond what someone without ADHD may be able to do and still have energy. 

These positive characteristics of adults who have ADHD, while perceived as beneficial and desirable, have a dark side in that they tend to mask the deeper problems that the disorder presents.  While creative and energetic people should not worry needlessly about the possibility that their personality is in part due to a disorder, it is important to acknowledge the possibility that the positive attributes of ADHD ought not to be used as a cover for a deeper problem.