Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly publicized childhood disorder that affects approximately 3 to 5 percent of all children. It is commonly diagnosed in children, but it is also diagnosed in adults and results in a number of symptoms. Medical experts continue to debate whether children can expect to outgrow the symptoms of ADD by the time they reach adulthood. Some studies have shown about one-third to two-thirds of children with symptoms from early childhood continue to demonstrate notable ADHD symptoms throughout life.
Adult ADHD
Adult ADHD is much more complex than ADHD in children. Young children may not be expected to have a sense of time and organization, but adults need goal-directed behavior.
Difficulties People With Adult ADHD Can Face:
If you have ADHD, you may have trouble with:
Anxiety
Chronic boredom
Chronic lateness and forgetfulness
Depression
Trouble concentrating when reading
Trouble controlling anger
Problems at work
Impulsiveness
Low tolerance for frustration
Low self-esteem
Mood swings
Poor organization skills
Procrastination
Relationship problems
Substance abuse or addiction
Low motivation
They can be problems all of the time or just depend on the situation. People with ADHD may be able to concentrate if they’re interested in or excited about what they’re doing. But some people with ADHD have trouble focusing under any circumstances. Some people look for stimulation, but others avoid it. In addition, some people with ADHD can be very social and go from one relationship to the next. Others can be withdrawn and antisocial.
These challenges affect several different areas of an ADHD adult's life, causing emotional, social, vocational, marital, legal, financial and/or academic problems. As a result, low self-esteem is commonly developed. However, getting treatment and learning ways to manage ADHD can help. Most people learn to adapt. And adults with ADHD can develop their personal strengths and find success.
Problems at School
If you have ADHD, you may have:
· Gotten in a lot of trouble
· A history of academic difficulties in school: underachieving, repeating a grade, etc.
· Dropped out of school
Problems at Work
If you have ADHD, you are more likely to:
Frequently change jobs and perform poorly
Be less satisfied with your jobs and have fewer successes at work
Problems in Life
If you have ADHD, you are more likely to:
Get more speeding tickets, have their license suspended, or be involved in more crashes
Smoke cigarettes
Use alcohol or drugs more often
Have less money
Say they have psychological trouble like being depressed or have anxiety
Relationship Problems
If you have ADHD, you are more likely to:
Have more marital problems
Get separated and divorced more often
Have multiple marriages
How can ADHD in Adults be treated?
Psychotherapy is effective for the treatment of the symptoms related to ADHD because it addresses behaviour modification. Children and adults with ADHD can have a difficult time regulating their emotional and behavioural response to situations. Learning effective coping strategies is one way to gain control over symptoms. Therapists can also help with the development of a plan for organization and prioritization, key areas of difficulty for those with ADHD. Goal setting, reward and consequence, and emotional regulation are other areas that are addressed during psychotherapy for ADHD.
Even if ADHD is not diagnosed, difficulties concentrating at school or at work can be troublesome. Therapy can help people learn to stay more focused, manage impulses, and discover which learning and working environments and aids can help increase attention. Although medication is often also prescribed as part of a treatment plan for ADHD, it is considered to be most effective when combined with therapy, which can teach coping skills. Common therapeutic treatments for ADHD include: · Traditional psychotherapy: Traditional psychotherapy, which may include discussions of anxiety, analysis of family relationships, and a variety of other topics, may be helpful at alleviating some of the symptoms of ADHD, especially in those who are experiencing other issues, such as depression and anxiety, a
long with ADHD. Talk therapy can help alleviate some of these concerns, bringing one's ADHD back into focus.
Cognitive and behavioural therapy. It can help with self-esteem. Plus, CBT can be helpful at changing unhealthy habits and thinking patterns. Adults with ADHD may find it particularly helpful because CBT helps patients reframe and retrain their thought processes.
Relaxation training and stress management. These can lower anxiety and stress.
Life coaching. It may help you set goals. Plus, it can help you learn new ways to stay organized at home and work.
Job coaching or mentoring. This can help support you at work. It can help you have better working relationships and improve on-the-job performance
Family education and therapy. This can help you and loved ones understand ADHD better. It can also help you all find ways to lessen how much it affects everyone’s life.