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.
Oh my God you just described every day of my life!
Hey! Are you spying on me?!
A few years ago an article in the WSJ pegged this for what it is - a marketing ploy. Much of the DSM and this particular “diagnosis” is as much of a hoax as global warming.
Yes, that’s it.
Red Flags for Adult ADHD
a lifelong history of difficulty with attention
a history of disruptive or impulsive behaviour
organizational skill problems (time management difficulties, misses appointments, frequent late and unfinished projects)
erratic work history (changes jobs frequently, unprepared for meetings, projects not completed on time, reports of coworkers, employers and clients being frustrated with them)
Anger control problems (argumentative with authority figures, over controlling as a parent, fighting with coworkers or child’s teachers, episodes of rage)
marital problems (spouse complains that he/she does not listen, speaks without thinking, is impulsive, forgets important events)
being over-talkative, interrupts frequently or inappropriately, speaks too loudly
parenting problems ( difficulty establishing and maintaining household routines, inconsistency in dealing with the children)
money management problems (making impulsive purchases, running out of money, failing to pay bills or do taxes, history of bankruptcy)
substance use or abuse, especially alcohol or marijuana, or excessive caffeine use
addictions such as collecting, compulsive shopping, sexual avoidance or addiction, overeating, compulsive exercise or gambling
frequent accidents
problems with driving (speeding tickets, serious accidents, license revoked, or being overly cautious when driving to compensate for attention problems)
being a parent of a child with ADHD
a college student who is frustrated, having to reduce their course load, or having difficulty completing assignments
an ADHD diagnosis as a child and continuing to have problems
reports from those close to the adult that they are just like a child or relative with ADHD or identifying them as having many of the symptoms associated with adult ADHD
evidence that the adult is not just coping poorly, but is significantly impaired and is at high risk of developing secondary disorders such as anxiety and depression
the adult may be successful but shows impairment when compared to their potential
an adult who is expending more energy than others to do the same amount of work
an adult who is using coping strategies to compensate for their weaknesses, but still experiencing problems with their career and work relations or becoming a workaholic
I have heard Glenn Beck talk about ADD. If I remember correctly he said that alcohol helped “slow” his mind down so he could focus.
LOL I hate when that happens!
What Is Compulsive Exercise?
Compulsive exercise (also called obligatory exercise and anorexia athletica) is best defined by an exercise addict's frame of mind: He or she no longer chooses to exercise but feels compelled to do so and struggles with guilt and anxiety if he or she doesn't work out. Injury, illness, an outing with friends, bad weather — none of these will deter those who compulsively exercise. In a sense, exercising takes over a compulsive exerciser's life because he or she plans life around it.
Yes indeed! I have NO PROBLEM keeping the attention of "ADHD" diagnosed People of ALL ages for the hour it takes to give a piano, voice, guitar, or drum lesson.
You need me!
What kind of music do you like?
Music clears the mind.
Indeed.
The condition is real. However, I don’t think it is a ‘disorder’ but rather, the modern world of sitting on your arse for hours a day does not ‘fit’ what ADHD people need.
Those with the condition, like myself, often naturally overcompensate by becoming extremely good planners: lists for everything and a schedule planned out in advance.
Additionally, while most think of wandering minds, ADHD people can become hyper-focused if it is something that really, really grips their interest.
Personally, I think it is a gift, if one can work in an environment where fast decisions need to be made whilst evaluating a ton of information. It’s the day in, day out routine that is a killer. BORING!
But it’s a killer when you get a song stuck in your head.
The only cure for THAT is to sing a DIFFERENT song! ha ha ha
Yeah, a deal breaker.
Hmm.
If channeled properly, yes.
A Gift.
Ltos said to grab another song.
I just did.
*relief*
Ahhhhhhh.
But NOW, you have to get the NEW song out of your head! LOL!
Indeed. Et tu, fanfan?
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