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When an Adult Has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)...
For many years it was believed that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) disappeared by the time a child reached adolescence with no long-lasting effects. Now it is understood that As many as 60 percent of children with ADHD grow up to be adults who still have the condition, and experts estimate that more than eight million grown-ups in the United States have ADHD. These numbers were presented by researchers from Harvard and the World Health Organization at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association this past spring and indicate that ADHD affects 4.4 percent of the adult population, making it the second most common psychological problem after depression.
Adults with ADHD may have difficulty sustaining attention and concentration and often exhibit extreme levels of activity, distractibility, and impulsivity. (Not all who have it exhibit the hyperactivity symptoms, so it is often referred to conversationally as simply ADD). ADHD can wreak havoc with personal relationships, present ongoing problems at work, and can even make the individual prone to depression and substance abuse. However, with proper treatment, adults can learn to control and even capitalize on the extra energy and ingenuity that is attributed to ADHD.
Symptoms
Many adults with ADHD have a very difficult time getting organized, planning ahead and maintaining order--they are often very messy. Others have learned obsessive coping mechanisms and are very organized, live on a very strict schedule, and keep lots of lists.
The three core symptoms of ADHD are:
Impulsivity
Overly impulsive; seem unable to curb immediate reactions or think before saying things to friends or co-workers; may have problems with gambling or shopping.
Hyperactivity
Always seem to be in motion; may have trouble sitting still for long periods of time; may talk incessantly or fidget constantly. (In adults, the hyperactivity component is not always present, and a diagnosis of ADD may be more appropriate.)
Distractibility
May have trouble following conversations or keeping mind focused on one thing for any real length of time; is easily bored with a task after only a few minutes.
Causes
A single cause has not been conclusively proven. It is likely this complex disorder can be the result of a combination of factors. Two of the possibilities currently being researched are:
Family History
Adults who have ADHD usually have at least one close biological relative who also has the disorder. At least one-third of all fathers who had ADHD in their youth bear children who have ADHD.
Brain Function
Research on how the brain normally develops in the fetus offers clues about what may disrupt the process. Throughout pregnancy, and continuing into the first year of life, the brain is constantly developing. Research indicates that a mother's use of cigarettes, alcohol, or other drugs during pregnancy can have damaging effects to the fetus's developing brain. Toxins in the environment can also disrupt brain development or brain processes, which may also lead to ADHD.
In those with ADHD, the brain areas that control attention use less glucose, indicating that they are less active. It appears that a lower level of activity in some parts of the brain may cause inattention and current research is addressing just why this lessened activity occurs.
Treatment
While there is not yet a cure for ADHD, the symptoms can be lessened and relieved using therapy, or, in some cases, a combination of therapy and medication. There are therapists who are especially experienced at helping people who have ADHD. Therapy provides a safe, comforting, and confidential setting in which to receive the kind of help and understanding that can best assist in coping with ADHD and the effects it has on everyday life.
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