Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that introduces an inability to pay attention, a feeling of hyperactivity and impulsive behavior in the person diagnosed with it. ADHD is extremely common in children, but it can also affect adults. An adult ADHD usually causes bigger problems as compared to ADHD in children. Adults with ADHD can face serious problems in their relationships, low-performance rate at work and self-esteem, and a few other problems. A large number of ADHD cases occur in the childhood, but they are diagnosed only during adulthood.
Symptoms of Adult ADHD
The symptoms of adult ADHD start at an early age, even if they aren’t diagnosed. There are only a handful of cases that have recorded symptoms only after the diagnosed has been introduced to adulthood. Some of the major symptoms of ADHD in adults are, impulsiveness and restlessness. The occurrence of these symptoms depends on the severity of the condition. In many cases, the adults are not aware of their condition. They are only aware of the fact that everyday tasks can be a problem for them.
ADHD in adults usually leads to a drop in the ability to prioritize, plan and focus on things. This can lead to missing deadlines, forgetting meetings or social plans. Trouble with multitasking, inefficient time management skills, restlessness, anxiety, frequent mood swings are some of the daunting symptoms of adult ADHD.
Causes of Adult ADHD
Genetics is one of the most common causing factors of any kind of ADHD. Studies have confirmed this and indicated that genes might play an important role in the occurrence of ADHD. However, the exact causing factors for ADHD haven’t been confirmed. An exposure to lead during childhood is considered as one of the speculated causes of ADHD. An inefficiency in the central nervous system at integral phases of development is another factor that could cause ADHD in a person.
Diagnosis of Adult ADHD
The diagnosis of this condition is fairly easy as the symptoms can be clear and direct. The first step towards diagnosis is to visit a skilled psychiatrist that has attended patients with ADHD in the past. The doctor will look for your medical history, set you up for a physical exam as well as collect and blood sample and run some tests on it. If this does not help the doctor diagnose the condition, they will further recommend a psychological test to examine the behavioral changes in the patient. Even if it has not been confirmed, most doctors believe that ADHD is attained by a patient in their childhood and does not spring up in the adulthood. If you visit them as an adult, they will ask for your medical history as a child and might also wish to look at your school report cards.
Treatment for Adult ADHD
Adults that are suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed stimulant medications that can help them feel less stressed. Studies have marked that about two-thirds of the people diagnosed with ADHD have shown improvements in their recovery. However, it is not ideal to treat ADHD with stimulants as they can be highly addictive, and add pressure to the patient as they must remember when to take them. Therapy and behavioral treatments are other forms of treatment that can be opted to attain complete cure from any form of ADHD.
