Adult ADD / ADHD
For around 60% of children with ADHD, the condition will stay with them well into their adult life. As the environments that individuals exist in change, from dependent to independent, it is not uncommon for those suffering from adult ADHD to find themselves having problems in a variety of areas in their life. From work to relationships, each area of life has the potential for trouble.
Adult ADHD is different from childhood ADHD, even though it is a continuation of the same condition. Rather than being hyperactive, most adults find themselves to feel restless on a regular basis. Many individuals with adult ADHD also find that, where they used to have problems at school, they now have problems in their relationships and at their work place. Typically an adult with ADHD may feel that they have been misunderstood for a large part of their life, and difficulties with teachers, friends and employees may have occured as a result of their behaviour. They are also likely to be to have been labeled as irresponsible, lazy, hyper, rude or abrupt.
Relationships are often the most challenging life area for individuals with adult ADHD. Many are able to list the troubles they have had with their friends, relationships and even in marriage as a result of their behaviour and interactions with others. Usually this is the result of impulsive behaviour which takes others be surprise. Adults with ADHD are also more prone to drinking, smoking and drug taking which can further difficulties in maintaining relationships.
The symptoms of adult ADHD are strongly related to those of childhood ADHD. Although many adults experience ADHD differently, the common symptoms that carry through from childhood include:
- poor concentration
- weak short term memory
- forgetfulness
- problems with organisation
- difficulty with self-discipline
- impulsive behaviour
- depression
- restlessness
- weak time management
- poor ADHD Social Skills
- a feeling of underachievement
- difficulty with creating and maintaining routines
For many adults with ADHD, they may not ever have had a confirmed diagnosis. In many cases, they’ve spent the majority of their life living with the symptoms, and many will create their own coping mechanisms and strategies without even knowing. For those that don’t recognise that they may have adult ADHD, their initial diagnosis is often made by family, friends or colleagues from work.
Official diagnoses of adult ADHD are based on a range of factors. These factors include scores on psychological tests, leisure activities, employment history, criminal behaviour history and social and emotional functioning. These can also be used in conjunction with self-diagnosis of characteristics, brain activity scans and information from family, friends and work colleagues.
Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, individuals with adult ADHD are able to explore various treatments for their condition. The three most common types of treatment are behavioural therapy, psychotherapy and medication, each working upon different principles and methods to improve the quality of life of an individual with adult ADHD. Each of these forms of treatment will be effective to different levels depending on the individual, and it is recommended that individuals explore all three and find out what treatment is the most beneficial to their condition.
