Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is not just a childhood malady. This condition affects approximately 4.1 percent of adults ages 18 to 44 years old in any given year, notes the National Institute of Mental Health. Adults who believe they may have this condition should talk about their concerns with a doctor.
Misconceptions
Since many people view ADHD as a childhood condition, some fail to realize how this disorder negatively affects adults. Marriage, raising a family, pursuing a career, managing finances and running a household require focus, calmness and determination. Since many adults have difficulty with these things, they often find functioning properly as an adult difficult. Health problems may also occur, including substance abuse, anxiety, compulsive eating, tension, stress and low self-esteem. Those who learn about ADHD and seek treatment can learn to compensate for these areas of weakness and improve the quality of their lives.
Signs
Adults with ADHD may display behavior related to the symptoms of inattention, hyperactive-impulsive behavior or a combination of the two. Although hyperactivity can still occur, adults with ADHD are less likely to display symptoms of hyperactivity than children, according to HelpGuide.org. Instead, many find it difficult to concentrate or focus. They bounce from task to task and often start things without following them through to completion. Restlessness, impulsivity, disorganization, forgetfulness and frequent mood swings are also common, reports MayoClinic.com.
Diagnosis
Doctors can only diagnose ADHD if the person has been displaying the symptoms for a period of at least six months. The symptoms must be present in at least two settings, such as work and home, and cause significant impairment in functioning. The symptoms must be inappropriate for the person's developmental level, and some of the symptoms must have been present before the person was seven years of age. The symptoms also cannot be the result of another mental disorder.
Medication
Doctors often prescribe stimulants to boost and balance chemicals in the brain. This type of medication includes methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, dextroamphetamine-amphetamine and lisdexamfetamine . Antidepressants and the medication atomoxetine may also be useful for adult AHDD treatment, but these medications work more slowly than stimulants and can take several weeks before taking full effect.
Therapy
Although medication alone may reduce symptoms of adult AHDD, a combination of therapy and medication is often more effective, suggests MayoClinic.com. A common type of therapy used for the treatment of ADHD is cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy teaches specific strategies to manage behavior and change negative thinking patterns. If ADHD has put strain on marital or family relationships, family therapy or couples counseling is also useful.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health: ADHD
- HelpGuide.org: Adult ADD/ADHD
- MayoClinic.com: Adult ADHD Treatments and Drugs
- American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 2000
