adult
ADHD
the facts you may
not know
Did you know that you could have adult
ADHD and not even be aware of it?
You may experience problems coping
successfully with relationships, work or school
or even have problems with the law but you
may not realize these problems are caused by
ADHD or that you even have it. For most people,
the diagnosis of attention deficit-hyperactivity
disorder is diagnosed in childhood and certainly
most people assume it is something that they
outgrow.
If you weren’t diagnosed as a child, you may
just assume this is how you are and it is your
personality. But ADHD can affect your personality,
your behavior and your choices so a lot of things
you assume are you- may not be. The good news
however is that adult ADHD is treatable with
medication, therapy and treatment for any other
co-occurring mental health condition.
The main symptoms of this disorder include
trouble focusing, feeling restless, disorganized,
and unfocused and having trouble completing
tasks. For many adults with ADHD these
symptoms show themselves when you can’t meet
deadlines or stay organized. This can make it
hard to keep a job, get good grades in school or
even maintain a relationship with others who
expect you to remember dates and deadlines on
a personal note.
Other symptoms include mood swings, trouble
coping with stress, that may accumulate in a
pattern of unstable relationships. For many adults
with ADHD these problems can appear in the
Health
form of road rage, impatience waiting for service
in long lines at the store or even maintaining a
healthy relationship with a spouse or significant
other. Not all adults with ADHD experience all
of these symptoms and some symptoms may be
more severe than others depending on the person
experiencing them.
Many adults with ADHD may also suffer with a cooccurring
mental condition such as depression
or anxiety. These conditions can exasperate the
effects of adult ADHD and work to decrease a
person’s self-esteem levels. If you suspect you may
have adult ADHD the first place to start may be
with your family doctor. Talk to your physician
about what you are experiencing, how long you
have been aware of your symptoms and what
medications you may be taking. If you are selfmedicating
with alcohol, drugs, or even caffeine
you should talk to your doctor about this as well
and not try to minimize or hide any information
that may be relevant.
Your doctor will want to know about your sleep
patterns and habits, when you notice your
symptoms getting worse, when you began to
notice your symptoms in the first place, and
what helps your symptoms lessen if anything.
Be prepared with this information ahead of time
so you can make the most of your consultation
appointment. Adult ADHD is treatable, but you
have to ask for help to get help so if you suspect
you have this disorder or you display many of
these symptoms take the first step and talk to
your doctor.
By Andrea Avery
WomanToWomanMagazine.com 11
/WomanToWomanMagazine.com
