Adult ADHD
ADULT ADHD- FACTS AND MYTHS
Although there is a tendency to generalize ADHD as a childhood disorder, most studies indicate the disorder itself or its symptoms do persist into adulthood. According to the National Comorbidity Survey Replication for ADHD, in the United States alone 4.4 percent of adults between the age of 18-44 were affected by ADHD (Kessler et al., 2006). Hyperactivity might diminish in adults; however, inattention, impulsivity, and restless behavior may continue to be problematic. Adult ADHD does not begin in adulthood; it continues in adults who were diagnosed with childhood ADHD, who were not diagnosed or misdiagnosed for ADHD in childhood and/or whose childhood ADHD symptoms were not managed effectively. The symptoms of adult …show more content…
When thinking about ADHD and its symptoms/diagnostic criteria laid down by DSM, one should gauge that ADHD is heavily culture biased. A diagnosis of ADHD ‘drops’ an individual into a wider group of having a ‘disorder’ which might entitle them to certain benefits and resources. However, considering the fact that adult patients who actually suffer from ADHD face real-life problems in their day to day life do need a well-tailored individual treatment plan and community-based health resources to help them to overcome their disorder and to lead a healthy life. Following a proper guide to diagnosing a disease or disorder is necessary; however, the notion of categorizing disorders, checking if an affected individual shows every symptom of a specific disorder and then tagging them with the name of that disorder is what seems to be improper. Rather than treating the individual and his/her symptoms, most mental health care professionals are eager to tag them with a ‘fancy’ disorder (Winter, 2013). The publicizing of ADHD in adults has apparently conditioned people to think that they actually could be suffering from it. They get potential benefits of ‘medical excuse’ for their life problems and could reap the advantages of disability legislation (Conrad, …show more content…
Adults with ADHD could also play their favorite sports by joining a club. In this way they get triple benefits of physical health from the sport, mental health from the recreational aspect of the sport and good interpersonal relationships with people as they are part of a community.
• It is better to discuss and organize the leisure time with your family and friends as well as sex life with your spouse.
• Keeping a checklist and prioritizing the daily activities is a better way of being structured and organized at work and in life. ADHD adults should fight against the tendency of procrastinating things and become thoughtfully responsible about their duties and activities (Green & Chee,
Although there is a tendency to generalize ADHD as a childhood disorder, most studies indicate the disorder itself or its symptoms do persist into adulthood. According to the National Comorbidity Survey Replication for ADHD, in the United States alone 4.4 percent of adults between the age of 18-44 were affected by ADHD (Kessler et al., 2006). Hyperactivity might diminish in adults; however, inattention, impulsivity, and restless behavior may continue to be problematic. Adult ADHD does not begin in adulthood; it continues in adults who were diagnosed with childhood ADHD, who were not diagnosed or misdiagnosed for ADHD in childhood and/or whose childhood ADHD symptoms were not managed effectively. The symptoms of adult …show more content…
When thinking about ADHD and its symptoms/diagnostic criteria laid down by DSM, one should gauge that ADHD is heavily culture biased. A diagnosis of ADHD ‘drops’ an individual into a wider group of having a ‘disorder’ which might entitle them to certain benefits and resources. However, considering the fact that adult patients who actually suffer from ADHD face real-life problems in their day to day life do need a well-tailored individual treatment plan and community-based health resources to help them to overcome their disorder and to lead a healthy life. Following a proper guide to diagnosing a disease or disorder is necessary; however, the notion of categorizing disorders, checking if an affected individual shows every symptom of a specific disorder and then tagging them with the name of that disorder is what seems to be improper. Rather than treating the individual and his/her symptoms, most mental health care professionals are eager to tag them with a ‘fancy’ disorder (Winter, 2013). The publicizing of ADHD in adults has apparently conditioned people to think that they actually could be suffering from it. They get potential benefits of ‘medical excuse’ for their life problems and could reap the advantages of disability legislation (Conrad, …show more content…
Adults with ADHD could also play their favorite sports by joining a club. In this way they get triple benefits of physical health from the sport, mental health from the recreational aspect of the sport and good interpersonal relationships with people as they are part of a community.
• It is better to discuss and organize the leisure time with your family and friends as well as sex life with your spouse.
• Keeping a checklist and prioritizing the daily activities is a better way of being structured and organized at work and in life. ADHD adults should fight against the tendency of procrastinating things and become thoughtfully responsible about their duties and activities (Green & Chee,