The Basics
of Adult ADD/ADHD
Attention
Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADD/ADHD) is a neurobiological condition that is thought
to affect nearly 20 percent of the American population. ADD/ADHD
is a condition that affects children, adolescents, and adults
of all ages. It affects more males than females; ADD/ADHD
also affects people of all races and cultural backgrounds.
It is believed that at least half of children with attention
deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
continue to have problems as adults, comprising about 4 percent
of the adult population in the United States. As the general
public has become more aware of adult ADD/ADHD, there has
been an increased interest in teaching patients how
to handle ADD in adult life and situations.
An adult with Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder has a different complex of symptoms
than a child does. Often the most prominent characteristic
of adult ADD/ADHD is difficulty with executive functioning,
frequently becoming noticeable with ADD/ADHD
in the workplace. As a person matures, the childhood symptoms
of Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder may evolve. Common symptoms of adult ADD/ADHD include:
- Poor attention; excessive
distractibility
- Physical restlessness
or hyperactivity
- Excessive impulsivity;
saying or doing things without thinking
- Excessive and chronic
procrastination
- Difficulty getting started
on tasks
- Difficulty completing
tasks
- Frequently losing things
- Poor organization, planning,
and time management skills
- Excessive forgetfulness
Not everyone who suffers
from adult Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder displays all of the symptoms, nor does every person
with adult ADD/ADHD experience the symptoms of ADD/ADHD to
the same level of severity or impairment. Adult Attention
Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
can cause problems in jobs and careers, at home, in family
and other relationships, in parenting
ADHD children, and with tasks of daily living.
It's important
to remember that the self-control and self-regulation problems
seen in cases of adult Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are not a matter of deliberate
choice. These problems are caused by neurological events or
conditions. People with adult ADD/ADHD know how to behave.
They generally know what is expected in a given situation.
But they run into trouble at the point of performance -- that
moment in time when they must inhibit behavior to meet situational
demands. Their troubles may show up in how they act in the
outside world, or internally. They characteristically have
inconsistent performance. This inconsistency is often mistaken
for a lack of regard or respect, or as a lack of effort.
There is no cure for adult Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. When properly diagnosed and
treated, adult ADD/ADHD can be well managed, leading to increased
satisfaction in life and significant improvements in daily
functioning. Some ADD/ADHD adults have found behavior
therapy for ADD/ADHD to be helpful in controlling their
symptoms.
It's
often recommended that those who suffer from adult Attention
Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
seek the help of a psychologist or psychiatrist, because three
out of four adults with Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder also suffer from other problems
including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, alcohol and
substance abuse, and learning disabilities. It's unlikely
that treatment for any of these problems will succeed unless
ADD/ADHD is identified and treated as well. Similarly, just
treating adult ADD/ADHD probably won't make other disorders
go away.
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