| One story that needs to be told is that of ADHD | | | | diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. This is only a short |
| (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and seniors. | | | | list of diseases that can mimic or mask attention deficit |
| While there is very little research to support or | | | | hyperactivity disorder. |
| contradict the assumption that ADHD is common in | | | | What about prescription drugs? |
| seniors one would have to assume that the statistical | | | | The shocking number here is while those over 65 |
| finding that at least 5 percent of adults have the | | | | account for only 13 percent of the population they |
| condition holds true for seniors as well. | | | | consume 30 percent of the prescription medications. |
| When our seasoned citizens were young the idea of | | | | One of the concerns here is as we age our body |
| ADHD was simply that, and idea. After all it wasn't until | | | | starts to lose its ability to filter out impurities as rapidly, |
| the 1980s when ADHD was recognized as a condition | | | | thus making seniors very sensitive to drugs. While this |
| and the 1990s when brain scan technology was able | | | | is known many medical professionals will still prescribe |
| to start to bring the neurotransmitter connection into | | | | the standard dosage, mainly because it is difficult to |
| focus. So while there is good chance many seniors | | | | determine just how quickly a senior absorb and/or |
| have ADHD, it is unlikely they have been diagnosed as | | | | eliminate them. The bottom line is too much medication |
| such. | | | | can cause some of the same symptoms as ADHD. |
| How might senior ADHD be recognized? | | | | Also, because of memory problems, seniors may take |
| Attention deficit disorders primary three symptoms are | | | | too much medication accidentally. If this is a problem a |
| inattention/inability to focus, impulsivity, and hyperactivity | | | | monthly pill box might be a great gift on their next |
| restlessness. For seniors the most prominent primary | | | | birthday. |
| symptom is likely are the inability to stay focus with the | | | | What else? If you think you or a senior citizen you love |
| most prominent secondary symptoms likely being | | | | is struggling with common ADHD symptoms such as |
| worry, boredom, loss of motivation, frustration, low self | | | | inattentiveness, impulsive behavior, or restlessness a |
| esteem, insomnia, or a feeling of hopelessness or | | | | medical profession specializing in gerontology can help |
| dread. They may also tend to be disorganized and not | | | | distinguish and unravel this complicated equation by |
| mix well with other seniors, perhaps even being looked | | | | separating common diseases and/or normal signs of |
| upon as an oddball. They may also be very creative, | | | | aging from the symptoms of ADHD. |
| though their creativity may be abstract. | | | | Additionally, many seniors are finding natural remedies |
| Can other conditions mask the presence of ADHD? | | | | for ADHD to be an excellent, safe and effective, over |
| Without a doubt! As a person closes in on their senior | | | | the counter alternative. If this is a path you or your |
| years they likely will have a laundry list of other | | | | loved one is considering be sure and talk with your |
| conditions. Examples would be Alzheimer's, dementia, | | | | doctor about possible drug interactions. |