ADHD or ADD is the abbreviation for Attention Deficit Disorder. ADHD is not just a problem that affects children; it also causes a wide range of problems in adults. Whilst experts used to believe that children would eventually grow out of ADHD by the time they reached adulthood, it is now widely recognised that the condition can continue past adolescence.
There are probably many adults in the UK who were never diagnosed with ADHD as children, and who have accepted their behaviour traits as part of their character. They may have developed a range of coping strategies in life which may or may not work for them. Usually it is only when things have gone badly wrong that help is sought so that the disorder can be identified.
For many, a crisis point is reached because of problems with unemployment, depression or because individuals are frequently getting into trouble with the authorities; it is at this point that professional help is sought. However, even then it is quite possible that a diagnosis of ADHD may be missed.
Despite the fact that adult ADHD can cause a wide range of problems which can become overwhelming in an ADHD sufferer, many physicians and individuals may still fail to recognise that the traits shown are part of an identifiable and treatable medical condition.
Is Adult ADHD Different?
Unlike many other health disorders that affect the mind, ADHD starts in childhood and its onset will not occur in adulthood. Up to 60% of children with ADHD will keep showing symptoms into adulthood, and it is estimated that between 2 - 4% of adults in the UK have ADHD; the majority of these cases are likely to be undiagnosed.
Whilst adults are less likely to have an intense degree of hyperactivity, they are frequently likely to:
- feel restless
- be on edge most of the time
- be prone to fidgeting and have great difficulties in relaxing.
Added to this, many problems may arise from undiagnosed childhood ADHD leading to severe problems with low self esteem, self belief and a very low sense of self worth in adulthood. All of these problems can lead to profound problems with depression and other psychological illnesses, and in many cases ADHD adults can take refuge in alcohol, drugs or substance abuse.
Problems with Work, Jobs and Relationships
ADHD adults may have frequently changed jobs, and will always prefer a job that keeps them busy and active to keep their minds occupied. However, adults with ADHD may frequently have problems with holding down a job, and maintaining adult relationships are frequently troublesome. Friends and work colleagues frequently refer to adult ADHD sufferers as being hard to work with, rude, unfriendly or abrupt.
Additionally, adult sufferers of ADHD are often accused of being insensitive and irresponsible in their general behaviour. All of these traits make holding down a job difficult, and adults with ADHD frequently feel that they are misunderstood. Not surprisingly, there is also an abnormally high incidence of failed relationships and marriages amongst adult sufferers of ADHD or ADD.
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Adult ADHD Symptoms
The symptoms of inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity are also present in adult ADHD; however, if the symptoms of hyperactivity are present, they may be less severe than those experienced in childhood. Additionally, the symptoms shown by an adult ADHD sufferer will change as the years go by.
Common adult ADHD symptoms include:
- Problems with concentration, and a restless mind
- Poor short term memory and forgetfulness
- Poor organisation in day to day life
- Difficulty in creating and maintaining routines
- A lack of self-discipline
- Impulsive or apparently thoughtless behaviour
- Depression and low self-esteem
- A feeling of restlessness and edginess
- Impulsiveness and frequent outbursts of anger and frustration
- Poor time management
- Poor social skills
If you suspect that you or a loved one may be suffering from ADHD, seek help and guidance from your health provider. There is much that can be done to help.
What I hate most is my wife continually shouting at me that I "just don't get it" when I don't know what I am supposed to get. I could go on an on agreeing with what I have read here.
I'll be back when I've figured a route to a diagnostic assessment. My wife will seriously object - wait and see.
Thanks folks I feel supported.
Eddie
I can tell you have ADHD and are not medicated because your comment was disjointed and rambling... so typical of a scattered mind. Youve got a decade on me but even so... well done for actually finishing school!
Ok, to get diagnosed you need to do the legwork I am afraid. I had the most awful time with mental health professionals early on and had to resort to going private at The Priory Hosp. If you choose this route it is fairly straightforward and shockingly expensive. You call up the Priory and ask the lovely people to find you an ADHD specialist and they call you back promptly with a named Dr. You then arrange to be assessed which, when I went there they said would take 5 hours and cost something like £330 per hour and £220 per consult after that. That was a few years ago now so you will prob have to dig deeper.
Alternatively you can go to your GP who will refer you to the local mental health team and you will get an appointment with a 'pot luck' psychiatrist. You attend and you request to be referred on to a specialist unit such as the Adult ADHD Clinic and The Maudsley Hosp in London. The psychiatrist will assess you before referral so BE PATIENT.
You can assist your own diagnosis by digging out your school reports because ADHD didnt start when you left school... your school report should contain clear indicators towards diagnosis. Also print off the ADHD symptom checklist and get your partner, best friend, mother, siblings.... people who really know you to score you so you get an objective opinion.... and when they say "Oh, that sounds like me.. ! could have ADHD".... because they will.... just smile and be patient.
Before launching yourself down the medication path.... some advice: The pills wont fix you. Doesnt matter how many you take. They can have serious side effects and people with ADHD often have 'issues' with self medication, addiction and substance abuse and you must always remember that.
Join yahoo and search the yahoo groups home for appropriate ADHD groups. They are mostly american and use american terminology like ADD and american drug names but they tend to be the more active ones. Good luck.
Ribbons.
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