Posted on 03/06/2010 7:17:22 AM PST by LouAvul
When Len was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it explained a lot. Why he had made poor grades in school even though he was smart. Why he was always losing things. Why he felt so restless.
The diagnosis was a surprise, though: Len was 38. He didn't think adults were supposed to have ADHD. But after his 8-year-old son was diagnosed, the therapist suggested that Len be evaluated.
"I grew up thinking I must be dumb or lazy," Len said. "It's hard for me to keep my mind on things that don't interest me. Finding out it's due to a difference in the way my brain works was a relief. The medicine doesn't fix it, but it does make it easier for me to stay focused."
ADHD has become a fairly common diagnosis in children. But for many years, experts thought that children grew out of it in adolescence. It is now thought that about four out of 100 adults have ADHD. And many of them have never been diagnosed.
What are the symptoms of ADHD?
There are three main subtypes of ADHD: primarily inattentive, primarily hyperactive/impulsive, and combined. Below are some of the symptoms of each.
Primarily inattentive type:
Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes Has trouble sustaining attention Often seems not to listen when spoken to Often doesn't follow through on instructions and fails to finish work Has trouble organizing tasks and activities Avoids or dislikes tasks that take sustained mental effort Loses things Is easily distracted Is forgetful in daily activities Primarily hyperactive/impulsive type:
Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms when sitting Has trouble staying seated Often feels restless Has trouble engaging in activities quietly Is often "on the go" or seems driven by a motor Talks excessively Blurts out answers before questions have been completed Has trouble waiting or taking turns Interrupts or intrudes upon others To be diagnosed with ADHD, a child would have to have at least six of the traits in one or both of these categories. Symptoms would have to appear before the age of 7.
It is hard to apply these same criteria to an adult for many reasons. By the time that they are adults, many people with ADHD have learned to compensate and may not have as many symptoms. They also may have trouble pinning down an age when the symptoms first appeared.
Adults with ADHD are likely to have problems in areas that would not show up in childhood, such as in work performance and problems with safe driving, substance abuse and relationships.
Who can diagnose ADHD?
Licensed mental health professionals (such as psychologists or counselors) can diagnose ADHD. Doctors (such as psychiatrists, neurologists and family doctors) can also do an evaluation. But some professionals may not be very familiar with ADHD in adults. It's a good idea to ask what kind of training and experience the person has working with adults who have ADHD.
ADHD traits are often more subtle in adults than in children. Also, many people with ADHD have other issues, too, such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse problems. These facts can make it harder to figure out if a person has ADHD. A professional will need to rule out other possible causes of symptoms before making a diagnosis of ADHD.
Why get diagnosed?
Some people with ADHD can succeed without being diagnosed and treated. But for many people, untreated ADHD keeps them from living up to their potential. They may fail in school, lose jobs, have trouble in relationships or fall into substance abuse. If you believe you may have ADHD, it can pay to seek an evaluation.
Getting diagnosed gives you a chance to improve your life. Often symptoms become less severe as a person ages, but the core elements of impulsivity, distractibility or inattention remain. So you may not be bouncing in your seat anymore, but you may have trouble paying attention in meetings. You may still make impulsive decisions, lack patience and blurt out things you later regret.
Taking medication and learning how to organize your life may help you succeed. Many people use a day planner to keep track of their priorities. Others benefit from having a counselor or a coach. A coach can help a person with ADHD learn better time management and offer encouragement and feedback to help the person stay focused on goals.
Sorry to display my ignorance. It's pinned with experience. Amphetamines are evil. I'm glad they are discovering some alternative chemistries to replace their use.
“Amphetamines are evil.” Lovely...perhaps misuse is wrong, perhaps there is evil use of them. There are evil applications of anything, cars, guns, drugs, alcohol etc. I detect a total lack of medical or psychological basis, training, etc in your comments. I observe ignorance per se your anecdotal “observations” aside.
Based on your red flag list, everyone I know must be suffering from ADHD. And I thought these were just character flaws.
In this technological age, the dreamers don’t stand a chance.
Tell me about it.
Life is too fast, too short, and too full of insanity for dreams and dreamers these days.
Well then, we are going to have to find our edge.
:-)
Great, now I have the movie “Speed” stuck in my head.
“We’re going too fast, we have no brakes, we’re gonna crash and die! So we’ll just go FASTER!”
The research shows diet has little to no impact on ADD ... although caffeine acts like Ritalin only a shorter-term effect. Caffeine will temporarily remove the hyperactivity and helps them focus.
Hmmmm. Maybe, but then again, maybe the dreamers, who back their vision with action, break out of the matrix?
I’m looking into alternatives that my friends and family wouldn’t even think to consider. They’re sheep that don’t even know they’ve been corralled.
Nope. Nuh, uh. No way.
Considering diet directly affects your insulin levels and therefore your hormone regulation I’d say that research is lacking. Changing your diet can drastically alter your energy levels and general mood. Hyper active neural activity may not be directly impacted but an erratic emotional state can not possibly help.
My guess is they want to be there and truly want to learn. I’m also of the opinion music has near magical qualities on brain function. I’m surprised more research has not been done on using music to treat ADHD.
Interesting, like what?
Replace it with the theme from Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang.
Where to move, what to do. Why work your arse off, if most of what you get goes out the door in taxes?
We’ve saved a fair amount and could likely survive living more modestly elsewhere.
Heh. I tried to convince Hubby that Chile was the place to go....back to the drawing board.
Tu habla espanol?
I hear RE prices have tumbled. [groan]
In SA that is one place of interest.
I keep wondering about Oz and NZ, although our daughter would need to go first as we’re over the 45 age cut off. Becomes difficult to migrate over that age.
Alabama has excellent real property rights. No eminent domain junque. I believe the property tax rate is good also. That’s the biggie for me. Paying property tax over and over on a piece of land and dwelling is nonsensical.
Amen to that!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.