Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, better known as ADHD, is a mental health disorder affecting millions worldwide. When most people hear of ADHD, naturally, they think of unruly children who aren’t able to concentrate or be able to sit in one place for too long. Most people do not know that adults can have ADHD too.
The Symptoms
A person with the disorder exhibits symptoms of impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and struggle to pay attention. Although similar to a child with the condition’s signs, adult ADHD symptoms are not as severe. People with adult ADHD also have suffered through the disorder in their childhood; however, many are unaware of it. This may be due to the lack of seriousness with which people understand ADHD, usually calling a child showing such symptoms as being ‘difficult.’
The Impact
Most people who have ADHD as children can manage it effectively. However, those never diagnosed as children end up suffering much more as adults. ADHD has no cure yet, and the importance is to manage the symptoms. With adult ADHD, a person may have issues at work, home, and in their education, crippling their life until they cannot do anything productive. As a result, therapists focus on helping their clients to find their personal strengths and move towards the success that the client outlines.
Unfortunately, having difficulty concentrating or being disorganized is not the only issue someone with adult ADHD may face. Adult ADHD, if not treated, leads to further trouble for the sufferer, such as the onset of anxiety disorders, depression, low self-esteem, and chronic boredom. The therapist must be able to peel away the layers and understand the core reason behind the symptoms a person faces to effectively treat them, especially with disorders such as ADHD.
It’s Not The Same For Everyone
There is no set framework when it comes to adult ADHD. There may be one person who suffers from hyperactivity only in certain circumstances. Still, there may also be people who will suffer from hyperactivity all the time. Usually, people with the disorder will have similar pasts where they have trouble understanding at school, would get in trouble at school multiple times, or may even have dropped out.
Life With ADHD
As an adult, ADHD affects people at work, in their relationships, and in life. If not treated, they are usually addicted to smoking or alcohol. They cannot hold a job due to poor performance, have to shift jobs frequently, and are much more likely to divorce.
It is not easy to diagnose ADHD, which is why many adults go undiagnosed throughout their childhood. To diagnose a patient with adult ADHD, psychiatrists look at their childhood for symptoms after ruling out any medical causes. Although there isn’t ample research on the disorder yet, specialists in the field believe that ADHD is genetic and has its roots in a person’s childhood.
