Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not a disease of an individual but its symptoms and consequences have a profound negative effect on the patient's family as well. As stated by Drs. Richard Weisler and David Goodman in a study published in "Primary Psychiatry" in 2008, it is quite common for an adult with ADHD to go undiagnosed, and thus, untreated. Naturally, this makes the impact of the disease on a patient and his family even greater.
Symptoms
ADHD is not one single condition, but can be divided into three subtypes. One of them is characterized by hyperactivity and impulsiveness, another with inattentiveness and the last is a combination of both hyperactivity and inattentiveness. In order for a person to be diagnosed with ADHD, her symptoms must have begun before she turned 7 and they must have an effect on at least two areas of her life, such as family and work.
Marital Relationships
People with ADHD are generally less satisfied with their marital relationship, as shown by L. Eakin and colleagues in a study published in the "Journal of Attention Disorder" in August 2004. The authors investigated 33 married adults with ADHD together with their spouses and found that ADHD patients reported significantly more family dysfunctions than families without ADHD. Interestingly, the ADHD patients viewed the health of their marriages and families more negatively than their spouses. Not surprisingly, people with ADHD tend to get divorced and separated more frequently than healthy adults, as shown by Weisler and Goodman.
Children
Psychosocial functioning of 23 spouses and 63 children with an ADHD parent were investigated by Dr. K. Minde and colleagues. The study, published in the "Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry" in May 2003, reported that children with an ADHD parent had more co-existing illnesses than the children of families without an ADHD parent. Frequently, the children were also diagnosed with ADHD. This finding is consistent with those studies that have shown a strong genetic component of ADHD such as that of Dr. Dee McKeel, published in the "Genetics in Human Affairs" journal in June 2003. Fortunately, a study by Dr. K. Minde and colleagues showed that if a child herself did not have ADHD and had at least one healthy parent without ADHD, she did quite well and was not dissatisfied with her life.
Employment Issues
ADHD patients are usually quite dissatisfied with their jobs as shown by Weisler and Goodman. One of the ADHD symptoms is impulsivity, and this makes it more likely for a person with ADHD to quit his job more frequently than a healthy person. A person with this disorder is also laid off from work more easily, especially since their job performance is often at a lower level than in the healthy controls, according to Ron de Graaf and colleagues in a study published in the "Occupational and Environmental Medicine" journal in December 2008. The same authors state that ADHD patients tend to get a shorter education, and thus, lower-paying jobs than their healthy controls.
Helping a Spouse with ADHD
If a person suspects that his spouse might suffer from ADHD, it is essential to get this person diagnosed. According to Michigan State University, ADHD is considered to be a mental disorder so the diagnosis can be done by, for example, a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist. ADHD symptoms can be helped significantly with medication and behavioral modification programs. Since planning is usually difficult for people with ADHD, a spouse can be of immense help by making the appointments and getting the medication for the patient. It takes time for the medication and behavioral modification programs to show any effect. Thus, the family members need to show patience and understand that an ADHD patient is not being mean, difficult or dumb, but suffers from a real neurobehavioral condition.
References
- "Journal of Attention Disorders"; The Marital and Family Functioning of Adults with ADHD and Their Spouses; Eakin L, Minde K, Hechtman L.; August 2004
- "Primary Psychiatry" Journal; Assessment and Diagnosis of Adult ADHD; Richard H. Weisler, MD., David W. Goodman, MD; 2008
- Michigan State University: DSM-IV (Text Revision) Definition Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- "Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry"; The Psychosocial Functioning of Children and Spouses of Adults with ADHD; Minde K, Eakin L, Hechtman L; May 2003.
- North Carolina State University: Genetics and ADHD
