Adults with ADHD

As I attended the Graduate Honors reception Tuesday, I shared with my table the topic of my blog: ADHD.  One of the guests asked what did the research say about adults with ADHD. As I prepared to answer her question, I realized I had not researched that area.  My focus has been on children with ADHD. But wait a minute, these kids grow up, so what happens to them as adults?  I had no idea, so I researched and the information I found was pretty interesting.

Children that are diagnosed with ADHD/ADD carry some symptoms into adulthood.  But you don’t have to be diagnosed as a child to display symptoms as an adult. Adults with ADHD/ADD have the same difficulties as children:

·        Distractibility

·        “Zoning out” without realizing it

·        Overlooking details

·        Struggling to complete tasks

·        Difficulty paying attention or listening to others

Even though adults with ADHD/ADD struggle with staying focused on a task, they also have a tendency to obsess or become hyperfocused on a things.  This simply means they become so engrossed with what they are doing that they tune out everything else around them.  Hyperfocus can cause you to lose track of time and become neglectful to other things you need to do. I often find myself consumed with tasks and I may lose track of time.  I never thought of it as ADHD. I wonder do I have it.  Hummmmmm…… In a previous blog I mentioned that we all have a “touch” of ADHD.  Certain skills like concentration and focus are things we have to practice or work hard at developing.

Adults with ADHD/ADD sometimes feel out of control. They act before thinking, they are impatient, they rush through tasks, they are unorganized and they interrupt others or talk over them. They also struggle emotionally, some common symptoms include:

·        Stress

·        Short tempered

·        Lack of motivation

·        Insecurity

·        Low self-esteem

·        Mood swings

Many adults suffer for years and never realize they have this problem.  There are tones of treatments available but before you go medicating yourself let’s try gaining control of your life without the use of “the pill.”  There are simple alternative methods to try some include: 

·        Getting plenty of rest-sleeping 7+ hours

·        Eating right and exercising-working off excess energy

·        Time management

·        Teaming with someone to help with organization

·        Technology integration-smart phones (set reminders, make lists, organizational Apps, etc.)

Living with ADHD does not have to be a burden.  There are many adults who function just fine with it.  There is hope regardless of how hopeless and frustrated you may feel.  A good support system, structure and organization skills can make a world of difference for the life of an adult with ADHD/ADD.  I hope this blog brought better insight to the life of an adult with ADHD/ADD.  There are so many myths surrounding this diagnosis.  The bottom line is…………………………….these adults can function in society just like everyone else. They’ll be JUST FINE!

This are great resources for adults and others wanting to learn more about ADHD/ADD http://www.add.org/

http://www.chadd.org/