Adult ADHD

You've heard of the disorder ADHD, commonly diagnosed among children, but you're no child. So why, are you having such a hard time concentrating in class? The increase in the number of prescriptions doctors write for treating ADHD is staggering. According to the Congressional Testimony of a deputy director of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the number of prescriptions written for ADHD medication has increased by 500% since 1991!. ADHD is a cognitive disorder characterized by impulsiveness, inattention, and hyperactivity, although hyperactivity is a less common symptom among older sufferers. Adults with ADHD have chemical imbalances in certain areas of their brains. Which can make it more difficult to follow directions or to complete work within a specified time period. or to complete work within a specified time limit. They may also experience difficulty concentrating or remembering mundane information. Because these symptoms of ADHD often become more detrimental later in life, as responsibilities grow,... it's not surprising that people with adult ADHD can become anxious, angry, or depressed. ADHD can also affect a sufferer's social life.They are also more likely to turn alcohol or drugs as a feel-good outlet, or as a form of self-medication. For adults to be diagnosed with ADHD, their doctor needs to verify that they displayed symptoms of the disease during childhood. This is because all cases of ADHD begin at an early age, even though they are not always properly identified. If ADHD is diagnosed, the symptoms can usually be controlled with prescription medication. Adults with ADHD may also learn to manage their behavioral symptoms with therapy, relaxation training, or support groups.

If you love someone who has ADHD, you need understanding and patience to build an enduring relationship. That's why it is so important that you LEARN all about the disorder. You will come to UNDERSTAND that lack of attention, distractibility, impulsivity and forgetfulness AREN'T signs that your partner is indifferent or angry at you --- they're symptoms of the problem. If YOU have ADHD and are in a romantic relationship, you have responsibilities, too. And the biggest one it to get TREATMENT. Take medication. Go to therapy. See a behavior counselor. Your partner's understanding of ADHD DOESN'T give you permission to let it go unmanaged. As a couple, your goal should be to AVOID destructive dynamics. For example, the person with ADHD may become DISTRACTED by a TV show during a conversation. Your partner complains, and you get defensive and angry. Find ways to BREAK this pattern. For example, -maybe you can learn to MAINTAIN eye contact during a conversation so you're LESS apt to drop out of the exchange. And if your mind DOES start to wander, your partner can develop ways to gently get back your attention, instead of RESENTING you for losing it. Other common battle zones include time management, organization and short-term memory issues. They may lead the person with ADHD to miss appointments and forget to do household tasks. Your partner may feel the CONSTANT need to look after you and remind you to complete your to-do's. You can break this habit by setting REMINDERS on your smartphone, keeping a to-do list in your pocket or using a calendar. Your impulsivity MAY have been charming when you were DATING, but it CAN get you into hot water once you're in a relationship. Your spontaneous, pricy purchase, quick-fire responses or emotional outbursts can BUILD TENSION over time. Make sure to COMMUNICATE with your partner when these issues crop up, and seek counseling for impulse control. Finally, I highly suggest you and your partner schedule time away from the hustle and bustle of life. Romance will help you separate ADHD from your relationship.

If you are frequently impulsive, distracted, and anxious, you may have adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD - a condition that begins in childhood, and for 60 percent of people, persists into adulthood. About eight million adults in the United States have ADHD. The main symptoms of adult ADHD are chronic disorganization and trouble prioritizing tasks, recklessness -- car accidents are common, marital difficulties, distractibility, poor listening skills, and frequent anger and frustration. Socially inappropriate behavior, such as blurting out an inappropriate thought or frequently interrupting conversations, can also signal the condition. One thing that makes adult ADHD difficult to diagnose is that it often coexists with other behavioral and mental problems, such as obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder and anxiety. In addition, the discomfort that it causes can lead to self-medication with alcohol and drugs. Many adults don't learn that they have ADHD until they are treated for other such problems. But if these behaviors sound like YOU, you should visit a doctor who specializes in adult ADHD. You -and close family members -- will be asked to evaluate how your symptoms interfere with various parts of your life. And the doctor will look for coexisting conditions that compound your ADHD symptoms. Untreated ADHD can make everyday tasks a MAJOR challenge. Fortunately, it can be effectively controlled with many of the same medications that children use; but psychotherapy may also be required to overcome a lifetime of low-self-esteem and poor social skills. For more information on ADHD, see the other videos in this series.