The effects of adult attention deficit disorder, or adult ADD, can be devastating. The condition can wreak havoc on careers and personal relationships. Children diagnosed with ADD can carry it with them through adulthood, but many sufferers of adult ADD are not diagnosed until they reach adulthood. Diagnosing the condition is the first step toward successfully managing it. While medication can help alleviate symptoms, managing adult ADD often involves therapy and behavioral coaching focusing on time management and organizational skills.
Description
ADD is also sometimes referred to as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or AD/HD. It is a neurobiological, or nervous system, disorder. In the December 2002 issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, Dr. Thomas J. Spencer writes that no one factor causes ADD, rather the condition can be attributed to a blend of genetic, environmental and biological causes. Dr. Spencer is an adolescent psychiatrist practicing in Boston. According to the National Resource Center on AD/HD, about 4 percent of adults have adult ADD.
DSM Diagnosis
The diagnosis of adult ADD is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM. The 5th edition of the manual, DSM-5, is scheduled for publication by the American Psychiatric Association in 2013. DSM-5 will lower to three the number of symptoms necessary for an adult ADD diagnosis. As of July 2010, six symptoms are required to establish an adult ADD diagnosis. DSM-5 will also increase the age requirement for manifestation of first symptoms from age 7 to age 12. In the April 2010 issue of Psychiatric Times, Dr. Allen Frances writes that this easing of diagnosis requirements may result in the overdiagnosis of adult ADD. Dr. Frances chaired the DSM-IV Task Force. He also chairs the psychiatry department at Duke University.
Signs and Symptoms
A common symptom of adult ADD is the inability to focus or concentrate on a task. In a work environment, this symptom may manifest itself as inattention to detail, lack of conversational focus or struggling to complete even the simplest assignment. Adults with ADD may have trouble managing their emotions, resulting in mood swings or hypersensitivity to criticism. This can have detrimental consequences not only at work but also in personal relationships. Another common symptom is hyperfocus. A person with adult ADD may avoid tasks he finds monotonous and instead focus on those tasks he finds interesting or rewarding in some manner. Prior to diagnosing adult ADD, a physician or other health professional will rate the severity of these and other symptoms, perform physical and psychological exams, examine past medical records and even interview a patient’s spouse and coworkers.
Medication
The most successful adult ADD medications work by improving the transmission of information between brain cells. Because of this, physicians sometimes prescribe stimulants to treat the symptoms of adult ADD. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the generic names of stimulants used to treat adult ADD. Both are prone to heavy abuse and are only short-term solutions. Antidepressants, such as bupropion and venlafaxine, are also used to treat adult ADD.
Therapy
Ideally, adult ADD should be treated with a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. A professional therapist can work with a patient, teaching her organizational skills, time management tricks, priority setting and behavior modification. Establishing structure and routine is especially important for patients with adult ADD.
References
- “Journal of Clinical Psychiatry; Overview and Neurobiology of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder”; Thomas J. Spencer, M.D., December 2002
- National Resource Center on AD/HD Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Diagnosis of AD/HD in Adults
- “Psychiatric Times”; Allen Frances, M.D.; DSM5 Plans to Loosen Criteria for Adult ADD; April 2010
