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ADHD, Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disease, is a brain disorder in which the person faces difficulty in paying attention or staying focused, controlling behaviour and is hyperactive. Although ADHD is common in kids, studies show that adults can also have ADHD. When ADHD is continued from adolescence to adulthood, untreated or undiagnosed, it can cause severe effects.
SYMPTOMS
Few of the difficulties which adults with ADHD face are:
- Remembering information
- Concentration
- Organizing tasks
- Following directions
- Mood swings
- Low self-esteem
- Poor Organization skills
- Relationship problems
- Anxiety
- Chronic boredom
- Depression
- Chronic amnesia (forgetfulness)
- Trouble controlling anger
- Problems at work
- Chronic frustration
- Impulsiveness
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis of ADHD in adults can be done by a psychiatrist who has an experience with diagnosing and treating people with ADHD. The Psychiatrist can ask multiple questions to figure out ADHD. Other tests could include:
- A physical exam to make sure that other medical conditions are not causing the symptoms
- A blood test
- Psychological testing
- Questions about health history
- Discussion with the patient’s parents, if the person had any symptoms during childhood
TREATMENT
If the doctor confirms that the person is suffering from ADHD, then a treatment plan will be prepared. The treatment plan can include medicine, learning about ADHD, therapy and getting family support. The best way to help the doctor make the treatment plan is to share each and every thing in detail about the disease like; if the person is having any learning disability, mood disorder or compulsive disorder.
Few of the therapies which can help people treat ADHD are:
- Relaxation Training and Stress Management
- Life coaching (this can help with learning new ways to stay organized at work and home)
- Job coaching or mentoring (this can help with learning new methods to maintain professional relationships and to improve performance)
- Cognitive and behavioural therapy (this can help in boosting self-esteem)
- Family education and therapy (this can help the patient and his/her family members understand ADHD)
SELF MANAGEMENT
Few of the things which people with ADHD can do on their own to manage ADHD are:
- Taking medicines as directed by the doctor for ADHD
- Making daily plans and working according to the schedule
- Managing the impulsiveness by taking a pause like; breathing slowly and count to 10 instead of acting out
- Moving to a quieter location and avoiding loud music or voices
- Burning off energy through daily exercises
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