| Adult ADHD is a disorder that is rather common | | | | it is a two sided sword. Even if this disorder was not |
| among children but few are aware that over half of | | | | diagnosed in childhood, it is likely that an adult with ADD |
| the children diagnosed will carry this disorder with them | | | | as a child was an underachiever, was frequently in |
| into adulthood. A further concern is that most adults | | | | trouble in school, failed one or more grades, or dropped |
| with attention deficit disorder do not know that they | | | | out of school. |
| have it and it is left untreated. For adults the symptoms | | | | These "grown ups" normally require the same |
| are very similar but in more of a grown up way. They | | | | treatment as children do and well over half of the |
| have difficulty following directions, retaining information, | | | | adults do very well with medication in the form of |
| concentrating, being organized, and when these | | | | stimulants. Especially with the shorter acting stimulants, |
| problems are not addressed it can lead to many | | | | they tend to wear off as the night progresses and |
| problems vocationally, academically, emotionally, and | | | | then adults can sometimes find it difficult to do simple |
| socially. | | | | things at home like pay the bills, clean the house, cook |
| In childhood it is likely that more boys will have ADD | | | | dinner, or help their children with their homework. As a |
| than girls. As they get older, it tends to balance itself | | | | result, an adult ADHD have tendencies to develop |
| out more. In adults, if left untreated or undiagnosed | | | | substance abuse problems in order to cope rather |
| generally results in substance abuse, aggressive and | | | | than speaking to the doctor and have their medication |
| violent behavior, inconsistencies with relationships, and | | | | changed or adjusted. |
| are twice as likely to end up institutionalized. It can also | | | | When an adult with ADD is diagnosed as having the |
| result in the inability to maintain a job because they | | | | disorder, there are a series of questions that are |
| have a tendency to be excessively tardy or absent | | | | important to ask about the route of your treatment |
| and very unorganized. They also often find it difficult to | | | | such as what should you expect if you opt to see a |
| sit through meetings and to retain what they have | | | | psychologist, what are the best treatments for adults |
| learned. | | | | and also the side effects, what suggestions do they |
| Often adults that have ADHD find that if there is | | | | have for diet and exercise, what is their feelings on |
| something that they may be excited about, perhaps an | | | | herbal remedies, how long will the treatment have to |
| upcoming event or something of that nature, they are | | | | continue, and find out if there are any clinical trials that |
| unable to think about or concentrate on anything else. | | | | you might be able to participate in. These are all |
| Usually they also fall into one of two categories, one, | | | | perfectly valid and acceptable questions to ask about |
| they are very withdrawn and antisocial or they are | | | | your adult ADHD treatment. |
| overly social and do not want to be alone. Either way | | | | |